30 November 2023 , 16:31
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Lionel Messi has been omitted from the 2023 MLS Best XI list despite claiming the eighth Ballon d'Or award of his career.
The Inter Miami forward has played an instrumental role in the team since signing from Paris Saint-Germain - including guiding the Inter Miami to winning the Leagues Cup. But injury hampered his chance to haul his new team from the bottom of the Eastern Conference into the playoffs.
Despite his efforts he has failed to make the cut following his debut season in the United States. The annual list names a starting line-up of the best performing players of the MLS season, the players selected are voted for by a panel of judges, including players, MLS coaching staff and journalists.
This season's list consists of players from seven clubs and eight nations, including one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders and three forwards.
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The judges have named St. Louis City SC's Roman Bürki as the best goalkeeper following an impressive season between the sticks. The former Borussia Dortmund shot-stopper was involved in 17 wins - the most in the Western Conference - and kept eight clean sheets all season.
Bürki's teammate Tim Parker has also been included in the list of defenders alongside Nashville SC's Walker Zimmerman. Rounding off the defenders is FC Cincinnati's Matt Miazga - the 2023 MLS Defender of the Year.
To no surprise Miazga's teammate Lucho Acosta is included in midfield having also won the 2023 MLS MVP. The 29-year-old led the league in total goal contributions with 17 goals and 14 assists, helping Cincinnati win the Eastern Conference - the team's first ever trophy. Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) and Thiago Almada (Atlanta United) finished off the midfielders list.
Messi won the Best Player Award and Top Scorer Award after winning the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Leading goal scorer Denis Bouanga was an obvious choice in attack having scored 20 goals in 31 MLS games for Los Angeles FC. Rounding off the list is Columbus Crew's Cucho Hernandez - who finished the season with 16 goals - and Atlanta United's former Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis - scoring 17 goals in 27 appearances this season.
A clear gap in the list comes in the form of Inter Miami's star forward Lionel Messi. The World Cup winner joined the MLS side in July on a two-and-a-half year deal which could go some way to explain his omission from the XI.
Despite missing out on the cut the 36-year-old has enjoyed a stellar first season with his new club following his move from PSG. The Argentine has scored 11 goals and 5 assists in just 14 games for the club across all competitions. Messi also played an instrumental role in guiding Miami to winning the Leagues Cup - the team's first ever trophy - scoring 10 goals in just seven appearances in the competition.
Messi's impact on the team also helped to persuade former Barcelona duo Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to join the team. The pair, along with Messi, won several Champions League and La Liga titles together to bring a wealth of experience to their new team.
Despite Messi's success his efforts weren't enough to help the team secure a place in the Eastern Conference playoffs. With just one goal in his six appearances, injuries meant he was unable to inspire the team in the league as Miami finished in 14th place with only Toronto scoring fewer points across the campaign.