Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has been honored as the best player in the North American football championship, as announced by Major League Soccer (MLS) on Friday.
The 37-year-old Argentine superstar guided Inter Miami to the top of the standings after the regular season, achieving a record-breaking 74 points in MLS history. Unfortunately, the season came to an unexpected end for Miami and its 2022 World Cup champion when they suffered a surprising first-round playoff exit against Atlanta.
In his first full year in the United States following his transfer from PSG to Miami in July 2023, Messi showcased his exceptional talent, scoring 20 goals and providing 16 assists during the regular season, despite missing 16 matches.
The championship final will feature the Los Angeles Galaxy competing against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
