Last Updated on: 6th December 2023, 12:43 pm
TIME Magazine Honors Lionel Messi as ‘Athlete of the Year’ for 2023
Argentina’s legendary football captain and eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient, Lionel Messi, has been bestowed with the prestigious title of TIME’s ‘Athlete of the Year 2023.’ This accolade comes on the heels of Messi clinching his eighth Ballon d’Or, solidifying his status as a football icon.
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Lionel Messi is TIME’s 2023 Athlete of the Year https://t.co/qPR75Hgt6f pic.twitter.com/EXqxl08lZN
— TIME (@TIME) December 5, 2023
Messi’s strategic move to Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami has proven to be a game-changer for the club, culminating in their historic triumph in the Leagues Cup – the first silverware in the club’s history. Looking ahead, Messi is set to spearhead Inter Miami’s efforts to elevate their standing in the upcoming MLS season, with aspirations to secure further victories.
Beyond his on-field prowess, Messi’s transfer has sparked substantial financial growth for Inter Miami, which is owned by former football star David Beckham. According to Xavier Asensi, the club’s business officer, Inter Miami’s total revenue is poised to surpass $120 million.
As season tickets for the next year have already sold out, Asensi anticipates that the club’s revenue could reach an impressive $200 million in 2024. This staggering figure stands in stark contrast to the modest $50 million revenue the club generated in the previous year.
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In a strategic move, Messi is reportedly working to attract Luis Suarez to join him in Miami. With Suarez’s contract at the Brazilian club, Gremio set to conclude at the end of the month, he could potentially sign with Inter Miami as a free agent starting January 1, 2024.
Messi has already successfully recruited former Barcelona players Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets to the Miami squad, and securing Suarez would be the icing on the cake for the team adorned in pink.
