Lionel Messi has clinched a prestigious award that Cristiano Ronaldo has never secured.
Messi now boasts eight Ballon d’Or victories, putting him three ahead of Ronaldo, and has further etched his name in history by being named the TIME Athlete of the Year for 2023.
The TIME award, known for honoring individuals like Winston Churchill and Martin Luther King Jr. as Person of the Year, expanded to include sports recognition in 2019, initially acknowledging the United States Women’s National Team.
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Since then, LeBron James, Simone Biles, and Aaron Judge have all received the Time Athlete of the Year title.
Messi’s latest achievement follows his sensational move to Inter Miami, where he played a pivotal role in securing their first-ever trophy, the Leagues Cup, scoring 11 goals in 14 games.
His impact extended beyond the field, drawing attention and celebrities to DRV PNK Stadium, significantly boosting MLS Season Pass subscriptions and shirt sales.
The 36-year-old’s TIME recognition is not only a testament to his on-field prowess but also to the transformative effect he had on the sport in the United States.
Messi’s popularity led to increased subscriptions, unprecedented demand for merchandise, and accelerated order processing by Adidas. Additionally, he negotiated a stake in his own franchise as part of his two-and-a-half-year deal.
The TIME release features a special portrait cover of Messi, accompanied by an in-depth interview where he disclosed receiving offers from Barcelona and a lucrative proposal from Saudi Arabia after departing Paris Saint-Germain.
He admitted: “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.”
