Messi misses out on MLS award after Ballon d'Or win

Suraj Radia

2 Nov 2023 22:03 GMT
3 min read

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, USA, fixed shadow — © ProShots

Lionel Messi collected his eighth Ballon d’Or this week but the Inter Miami star missed out on another award to add to his collection after ex-Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis was named the MLS Newcomer of the Year.

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Messi joined Inter Miami in the summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain but his signing was during the MLS mid-season break and the 36-year-old made just six domestic appearances for his new side before the regular season wrapped up.

Miami finished second-from-bottom in the Eastern Conference of MLS, more than 15 points away from the guaranteed play-off places, leaving Messi with another extended break until the start of the new season in February.

REUNION: Messi set to link up with ex teammate at Inter Miami

Despite a prolific start to his Inter Miami career which saw him score 10 goals in seven matches to help his side win the mid-season Leagues Cup, Messi grabbed just one goal and two assists in the MLS.

Giakoumakis, meanwhile, signed for Atlanta United in February and scored 17 goals in 27 games to tie for second place in the Golden Boot award, with his side finishing sixth and qualifying for the playoffs.

The 28-year-old had previously spent 18 months at Celtic after joining them for £2.5 million and he scored 19 goals in 40 Scottish Premiership games before his £4.3m switch to the United States.

Messi not looking to leave Inter after record Ballon d’Or win

Messi won the Ballon d’Or on Monday having led Argentina to World Cup glory while also grabbing 16 goals and 16 assists for PSG in Ligue 1.

Having beaten Erling Haaland and ex-teammate Kylian Mbappe to the award, Messi’s record eighth Ballon d’Or was the first time a player had won it with three different clubs as well as becoming the only player to win it while playing for a team outside Europe, despite the achievements coming while he played for PSG.

FARCE!: Messi Ballon d'Or win criticised

There had been speculation that Messi would join another team on a short-term loan during the MLS break to keep fit, as many players have done previously due to the different calendars between the leagues.

Giorgos Giakoumakis, former Celtic player, won the 2023 MLS Newcomer of the Year award over Messi👏 17 goals, no penalty. Congratulations!pic.twitter.com/dOgEjyUYuV
— Yatao (@yataoda4) November 2, 2023

However, despite reports linking him with a return to Barcelona or a temporary switch to Saudi Arabia, the suggestions were played down, with Messi set to go on holiday after Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers later this month before returning in the winter for the new MLS season.