Lionel Messi has added another feather in his cap. The Argentine World Cup winner and Barcelona legend is TIME’s Athlete of the Year 2023. It comes weeks after the football superstar won his 8th Ballon D’Or award in October. With this, Messi becomes the first footballer in history to be named TIME’s Athlete of the Year.
He was competing with the likes of former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City’s Norwegian striker Erling Haaland. Tennis great Novak Djokovic and Major League Baseball star Aaron Judge were also among the nominees.
After winning everything in Europe, Lionel Messi made his voyage to the USA for one last dance. He joined Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.
Despite a great start to his MLS career, Inter Miami failed to qualify for the playoffs. But before that, Messi led Inter Miami to Leagues Cup. But having won the FIFA World Cup, he added every trophy he played for in his kitty.
Lionel Messi Achievements
- FIFA U20 World Cup (2005)
- Olympics Gold (2008)
- La Liga
- Copa Del Rey
- UEFA Champions League
- UEFA Super Cup
- FIFA Club World Cup
- Copa America
- UEFA Cup of Champions
- FIFA World Cup
- Ligue 1
- Leagues Cup
Individual Awards
- Ballon d’or
- FIFA Player of the Year
- Best FIFA Men’s Player
- FIFA World Cup Golden ball
- FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball
- Copa America Best Player
- UEFA Player of the year
