The prestigious publication has recognized the success of Messi’s arrival in the MLS
“My first option was to return to Barcelona, but it was not possible,” explains the Argentine in the report.
Leo Messi’s arrival in the MLS last summer It has been a revolution for the American league and even more for his team, David Beckam’s Inter Miami. So much so that the Argentine has been designated ‘Athlete of the Year 2023’ by the prestigious ‘Time’ magazine.
The American publication dedicates a long article to the Argentine star, in which he remembers his first minutes with the pink squad, a moment, that of July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, which ‘Time’ describes as “surreal.” “Lionel Messi, in his first match wearing the pink Inter Miami jersey, had a free kick in the final seconds of his debut in Major League Soccer (MLS). Here was the greatest soccer player alive, possibly the greatest to ever play the world’s most popular game.who last year led Argentina to its first World Cup victory in nearly four decades, preparing for a club that ranks last in the U.S.,” the article explains.
The report also includes statements by David Becjam, co-owner of the club about that moment: “I remember getting in the car on the way back and saying to Victoria: ‘I’m not even sure I can drive hometo. You couldn’t have written it better. It was for the MLS and for América. “It was for the future of the game.”
‘Time’ also provides statements from Messi himself in which, among other things, he explains what the decision was like to choose to sign for the MLS, leaving aside the Saudi offers and revealing what his first option was. “My first option was to return to Barcelona, but it was not possible. I tried to return and it didn’t happen,” explains the Argentine, who added that “it is also true that later I was thinking a lot about going to the Saudi league, where I know the country and they have created a very powerful competition “which can become an important league in the near future,” says Messi.
“Messi marked his arrival in the United States by scoring 10 goals in seven Leagues Cup games and leading Inter Miami to the championship,” highlights ‘Time’ about its decision to choose Leo Messi as the ‘Athlete of the Year’.