Inter Miami Bestows MVP Title On Lionel Messi Despite MLS Injury Setbacks

Lionel Messi continues his stellar year by clinching Inter Miami’s MVP award for the 2023 season, a remarkable feat given his mid-year arrival after leaving Paris Saint-Germain in June.

Despite his relatively brief tenure, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner left an indelible mark, notching 11 goals and eight assists in just 14 games.

While past recipients of Inter Miami’s MVP accolade include Gonzalo Higuain and Lewis Morgan, Messi stands out as the most illustrious player to claim this honor.

This announcement follows closely on the heels of Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or triumph, bolstered by his pivotal role in Argentina’s World Cup victory in Qatar. Messi guided Inter Miami to their first trophy, the inaugural Leagues Cup, though their MLS playoff aspirations fell short.

Despite scoring only once in six MLS appearances and missing key fixtures due to injury, Messi remains determined to achieve a clean sweep in 2024 with Inter Miami.

Looking ahead, Messi, now in his first full year with Inter Miami, sets his sights on securing victories across all competitions.

Currently, his immediate focus is on aiding Argentina’s quest for a flawless record in the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches, with challenging fixtures against Uruguay and Brazil scheduled for this month.