An individual award eludes Messi

Published: November 2, 2023

By: Nicolas Gerbault

Crowned Ballon d’Or 2023 on Monday, Lionel Messi was overtaken for the title of MLS rookie of the year this Thursday.

Elected for the eighth time in his career Ballon d’Or – an absolute record – Monday evening at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, Lionel Messi was in the running to receive the award for best rookie of the MLS season this Thursday.

But the world champion was not rewarded, overtaken by the Greek striker of Atlanta United Giorgos Giakoumakis.

#WeAreTheA 🤝Newcomer of the Year Winners

All the reasons Giorgos Giakoumakis was this year’s top newcomer in MLS: https://t.co/3FAzLgNGRx pic.twitter.com/2XHVWeDaGN

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 2, 2023

In 14 matches played with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi, who will not play in the play-offs with Californian France, has scored 11 goals and provided 5 assists.

Written by:

Nicolas Gerbault

Nicolas Gerbault is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Nicolas discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, his expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Nicolas enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans.