Inter Miami star and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi is a finalist for the MLS Rookie of the Year award, the league announced Thursday as it released the shortlists for seven individual honors. Here’s what you need to know:
Game changers. 🔥
These newcomers took the league by storm. pic.twitter.com/uMo7XMJLWr
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 26, 2023
Why Messi Got a Newcomer Nod
Messi’s numbers are not worthy of any post-season awards. But Messi is like no other player MLS has ever had. His impact on the league goes beyond the field.
You could argue that he has raised the credibility of the league around the world. The Messi brand has certainly taken over MLS and North American sports as well. His jersey no. Inter Miami’s 10 is among the most popular jerseys in all of sports. For many, this makes Messi the new MLS Player of the Year. Not for me though. I voted for Giakoumakis, who scored 17 goals in 27 appearances during his first year in MLS. – Felipe Cardenas, MLS writer
GO DEEPER
Ballon d’Or explained: How to win it, who votes and the rivalry between Ronaldo and Ronaldo
Who is nominated for MVP, Coach of the Year and other awards?
MVP finalists
Atlanta United Thiago Almada
Los Angeles FCof Denis Bouanga
FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta
Goalkeeper of the year finalists
St. Louis City Roman Burki
FC CincinnatiS ‘ Roman Celentano
Defenders of the Year Finalists
St. Louis City Tim Parker
FC Cincinnati’s Matt Miazga
Seattle Sounders’ Yeimar Gómez Andrade
Young Player of the Year finalists
Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada
Orlando City Duncan McGuire
The crew of ColumbusS ‘ Aidan Morris
Comeback Player of the Year Finalists
Atlanta United Miles Robinson
Seattle Sounders’ João Paulo
Sporting Kansas City’s Alan Pulido
Coach of the Year Finalists
Pat Noonan of FC Cincinnati
Wilfried Nancy of the Columbus Crew
Bradley Carnell of St
Required reading
(Photo: Matt Kelley/Getty)
