Messi named Time's Athlete of the Year for 2023
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Lionel Messi wins even when he's not playing.
The World Cup winner picked up another honor, being crowned Time's Athlete of the Year for 2023 on Tuesday, less than a year after his move to the United States.
Messi, who's fresh off winning his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or award as the best male soccer player, received the coveted title ahead of prestigious athletes such as Erling Haaland, Novak Djokovic, and last year's winner, LeBron James.
The 36-year-old is currently enjoying a well-deserved break after taking the United States by storm following his electrifying arrival at Major League Soccer club Inter Miami in July.
Messi helped David Beckham's Miami side capture the Leagues Cup trophy in the summer shortly after a surreal debut in which he scored the game-winning goal off a free-kick to cap his first game in pink.
"You couldn't have written it better," said Beckham, who co-owns Inter Miami. "It was for MLS and for America. It was for the future of the game."
Messi ended the Leagues Cup, a tournament between MLS and teams from Mexico's Liga MX, with 10 goals in seven games.
His arrival triggered a major boost in popularity for Inter Miami, a team that was struggling in last place of the MLS standings before signing Messi, and the league as a whole.
Inter Miami's popularity and ticket prices skyrocketed after his lucrative transfer. The same was true away from home, as teams charged a premium wherever the former Barcelona star, who finished the 2022-23 season with PSG, was expected to play when Inter Miami hit the road.
Messi had several options before joining Miami. He revealed that his first choice would've been to rejoin Barcelona but said "it was not possible."
Although Miami wasn't his first option, Messi is looking forward to the "special challenges" ahead of his first full season in North America.
Inter Miami failed to make the MLS playoffs, while Messi struggled with injuries to end the 2023 season. He had one goal and two assists in six MLS appearances last term.