Lionel Messi Dealt Christmas Blow as Lautaro Martinez Crowned 2023’s Most Valuable Player In Argentina

2023 has been Lionel Messi‘s year, despite him being in the twilight of his career. Courtesy of his World Cup win with Argentina, Messi won his record eighth Ballon D’Or in October. As the year ends, another happy news came the Argentine’s way, as he reunited with Luis Suarez in Inter Miami. Shortly after this Christmas present of a reunion, the 36-year-old has now been handed an Xmas shocker. The Miami #10 is quite habitual to topping the list of most valuable players in the world. Save the world, the 2022 World champion has now failed to even be Argentina’s MVP.

As things stand now, Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez is Argentina’s MVP. Does this mean Leo Messi is the second most valued Argentine? No, not even close.

Lautaro Martinez and others humble Lionel Messi in the list of Argentine MVPs

Per Transfermarkt and Juego Simple, Lautaro Martinez, with a market value of $115 million is Argentina’s most valuable player. Valuing close to $96 million, Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez is second on the list of Albiceleste’s MVPs. Chelsea’s multi-million dollar signing Enzo Fernandez is the third among Argentine MVPs with a value of approximately $80 million. Save being one of Argentina’s top three MVPs, Lionel Messi is not even among the top five. Instead, the veteran, valued at around $38 million is ranked #10 in the list of Argentina’s most valuable players!

Cristiano Romero, Alexis Mac Allister, Lisandro Martinez, Nahuel Molina, Exequiel Palacios, and Nicolas Gonzalez, who are from Albiceleste’s young blood, dominate the Inter Miami star in the transfer market. His value has dropped to this low during his last stint with Paris Saint Germain. His move to Miami has not helped much to buck the downward trend. Besides, the star is ranked 186th, in terms of market value among all players worldwide. However, it is not like Leo does not top any list of MVPs. He still has an edge over some of his contemporaries.

A bird’s eye view of Messi’s ranking in the transfer market

Lionel Messi might not dominate Argentina and the world, but the MLS is now seeing his undisputed reign. The Miami maestro is ranked number one among MLS’ MVPs. He is also the most valued player among all those who are born in 1987. Besides, La Pulga is the 21st most valued right winger in the world; quite a decent feat for a 36-year-old.

READ MORE: Inter Miami Announce Luis Suarez Transfer in an Early Christmas Present For Lionel Messi

Meanwhile, Messi’s arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo‘s market value has plummeted further than the former’s. The Al Nassr icon is ranked 639th in among all valuable players in the world and 33rd in Portugal. Hence, Messi indeed has the better of CR7 in the transfer market. Anyhow, these two legends seeing a value drop is unsurprising at this age. Moreover, the soccer market was once dominated by these two like no other. Now is the time for new Messis and Ronaldos in the making.

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