03 November 2023 , 16:40
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Lionel Messi missed out on the Major League Soccer Newcomer of the Year award, stunning fans who thought he was a dead-cert after his record-breaking start to life with Inter Miami.
After the results were announced, fans took to social media to claim the Argentine had been 'robbed'. Atlanta United star Giorgis Giakoumakis pipped Messi to the award after a standout debut year in America following his move from Celtic earlier in the year.
In 28 regular season games, Giakoumakis recorded 17 goals as Atlanta reached the playoffs comfortably. He became the second consecutive Atlanta player to win the award, following in the footsteps of Messi’s international teammate, Thiago Almada.
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Messi was instrumental in Miami's season, guiding them to their first-ever trophy in the summer with the Leagues Cup success, but his regular-season impact wasn't as strong. Down the stretch, Messi was limited by a hamstring injury, which forced him to miss games and Miami struggled during his absence.
Messi wasn't the only Inter player who received recognition, however, as fellow summer arrival Sergio Busquets was also nominated for the award, but he did not make the final shortlist. In the final round of voting, Messi received 27.3% of the votes and Giakoukmakis received 45.8%.
Fans weren't happy, however, and flooded social media with complaints over the result. One fan wrote: "How isn't Messi winning he literally transformed MLS," while another quipped: "shameful messi should be first."
Lionel Messi transformed Inter Miami's year - but was unable to help their regular season efforts ((Photo by Matt Kelley/Getty Images))While Messi's fanbase made their feelings known, Messi has added some hardware to his trophy case over the last few weeks. On Monday, he won the eighth Ballon d'Or award of his career, given annually to the top European soccer player.
He wasted no time in returning to Miami from Paris after the ceremony, and posted a couple of snaps from his private plane showing off the trophy - posing with Miami owner Jorge Mas and his personal bodyguard. Miami were quick to honour him as well, inviting him to bring the prestigious award to the club's training ground to show off to the academy players.
Messi was set to travel to China in a few weeks' time for a brief pre-season tour, giving him the chance to maintain his match fitness across the off-season, however the tour was scrapped.
Instead, Miami will play against New York City FC next Friday in a friendly game specifically organised to honour the Argentine.