Lionel Messi Nominated For MLS Award Despite Playing Just Six Games

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi has been named on a three-man shortlist for Major League Soccer's Newcomer of the Year award. Messi played six MLS games in 2023.

Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has been named on a three-man shortlist for Major League Soccer's Newcomer of the Year award.

Messi, 36, joined Miami midway through the 2023 season in July.

He scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 14 appearances for the Fort Lauderdale side.

Messi played a starring role in Miami's victorious Leagues Cup campaign, with 10 of his goals coming in that competition.

However, his nomination for an MLS award may come as a surprise to some, considering that he only featured in six league matches.

Lionel Messi has been nominated for the 2023 MLS Newcomer of the Year award :: IMAGO/Icon Sportswire/Nick Tre. Smith

In those six MLS games, Messi received 373 minutes of field time, scored two goals and assisted one.

He completed 205 passes in his debut MLS campaign, won 13 free-kicks and registered 20 shots.

The other MLS Newcomer of the Year finalists are Atalanta United forward Giorgos Giakoumakis and St Louis City midfielder Eduard Lowen.

Giakoumakis scored 17 goals to fire Atalanta to sixth place in the Eastern Conference, while Lowen netted six times and provided nine assists to help St Louis top the Western Conference.