Lionel Messi has been named Time magazine’s “Athlete of the Year” for 2023, recognized for his influential season marked by an eighth Ballon d’Or award and his groundbreaking move to Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami. Time highlighted Messi’s transformative impact on American soccer, stating that he turned the US into a soccer country with his move to Inter Miami.
Messi’s debut for Miami in July and his contributions to the team’s Leagues Cup victory were emphasized. The Argentine superstar’s decision to join MLS instead of a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia was also noted. Messi’s arrival had a significant impact on attendance, ticket prices, merchandise sales, and viewership in the American soccer landscape.
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