Lionel Messi has been named as Time’s 2023 Athlete of the Year.
Messi continues to win awards. TIME’s announced on Tuesday that the World Cup winner is on the cover of their magazine for winning the award. Messi wins the award for the football influence he has brought over to the United States since joining Inter Miami.
The 36 year old spoke with TIME about not returning to FC Barcelona and rejecting a bid from Saudi Arabia:
“The truth is that fortunately, I had several options on the table that were interesting, and I had to analyze them and think, even weigh them up with my family, before making the final decision to come to Miami.
“My first option was to return to Barcelona, but it was not possible. I tried to return, and it did not happen.
“It is also true that later I was thinking a lot about going to the Saudi league, where I know the country and they have created a very powerful competition that can become an important league in the near future. As the country’s tourism ambassador, it was a destination that attracted me, especially because I’ve enjoyed everything I have visited, because of how football is growing in the country and because of the effort they are putting into creating a top competition.
“It was Saudi Arabia or MLS, and both options seemed very interesting to me.”
David Beckham also commented on his reaction to Lionel Messi scoring a free kick against Cruz Azul in his first match for the club:
“I remember getting in the car on the way back, and I said to Victoria, ‘I’m not even sure I can drive home,’ You couldn’t have written it better.”
🚨 Lionel Messi has been named the Time Athlete of the Year! pic.twitter.com/bggPOzAThS
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) December 5, 2023
one thing should remain HUMBLE, all the awards a recognition and don’t make us proud. Keep the feet on the ground, we are lucky to watch the greatest footballer
Poor Messi haters can’t get a break!
Remember Messi’s face after Copa 2016 final? yea, that’s Messi haters face expression all around the planet since 18th December 2022.
I would go back to Copa…….that’s when their pain started 😉
We really need CB, apart from Romero and licha. I have doubt with everyone. In Copa we will go with 7 attackers assuming 26 player squad.
Messi, dimaria , Alvarez, lautaro, Nico Gonzalez, dybala, garnaho/soule/beltran/ocampos.
Athlete of the year 2022 would have been logical.
Athlete of the year 2023 is ridiculous. Max Verstappen would be a better choice. Or Haaland after beating so many records and winning the treble.
Noah Lyles or Kiptum who broke the world record on the marathon are also better candidates for 2023.
Nearly impossible in 2022. By the time Messi won the WC,athlete of the year nomination was over and the winner would have already recieved it on December 06,2022. It is not Leo’s fault that the WC was pushed to December- literally ruling him out for all awards of 2022 including Balon d’or but ended up making him eligible for every 2023 awards.
Haaland has zero goals in both legs of CL semi and no goal in CL final. No goal in FA cup semi final and final either. That’s a pretty cool record I guess.
City and Chelsea are monitoring the Echeverri, Ruberto, Subiabre U17 River trio, Echeverri is wanted by Real, Barca, PSG, Chelsea, City, Juventus, Milan and Inter. City in pole position per reports, a deal (25-30 millions) with a 1 year long loaned back option to River would be perfect. Tottenham, Newcastle and Crystal Palace are interested in Soule (his price is 25) but Juve will hardly let him go.
I have a strong feeling both Scaloni and Messi will continue if he retain the next Copa America! MLS can’t satisfy Messi’s craving for top class futbal. Yes, if he was in Europe he would have retired but not when playing in MLS. He is high IQ individual and he will most likely demand less mins and start frequently from the bench. He will have turned just 39 in the next world cup and should be able to play a role of a super sub. However, the next world cup is 2.5 years away and anything can happen during this time period.
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