International Footballer Lionel Messi has had an extraordinary year, highlighted by winning the 2022 World Cup, earning his eighth Ballon d’Or, and securing a significant contract with MLS club Inter Miami.
Despite these achievements and winning the Leagues Cup, the first title in Inter Miami’s history, Messi’s impact in the MLS was not deemed sufficient to place him among the season’s top players.
The announcement was made on MLS’s official X account showing a group chat titled “MLS Best XI” with the admin’s message saying, “Alright! We wanted you guys to hear it first: You’re all part of the 2023 MLS Best XI!”
The MLS revealed its top 11 players for the 2023 season, and notably, Messi was not included in this elite list. The selected players are:
Goalkeeper: Roman Burki
Defenders: Matt Miazga, Tim Parker, Walker Zimmerman
Midfielders: Luciano Acosta, Thiago Almada, Hector Herrera, Hany Mukhtar
Forwards: Denis Bouanga, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Cucho Hernandez
Messi joined Inter Miami on July 15, signing a 2.5-year contract. However, his participation was limited due to a mid-season arrival and injuries.
He played only six official league matches, scoring a single goal. Overall, Messi has featured in 14 matches for Inter Miami across various competitions, netting 11 goals.
