Why TIME Magazine Named Lionel Messi, the First Footballer, As Athlete of the Year for 2023?

The years seem to be just getting better and better for football legend Lionel Messi. Just last year he completed his dream of lifting the World Cup and this year he made a buzz-making move to Inter Miami. Now the Argentine has added another accolade to his resume by becoming the first-ever football player to be recognized as the TIME Magazine Athlete of the Year for 2023.

With this announcement, Lionel Messi has added his name to the list, which had names like LeBron James and Aaron Judge, and solidified his status as a true sporting icon. Let’s look at what made this achievement possible for the Inter Miami star.

Why is Lionel Messi the Athlete of the Year?

Time Magazine recently took to X to announce the big news of the crowning of Lionel Messi as the Athlete of the Year 2023. In a video, they laid down the reasoning that helped La Pulga win this achievement, with the help of Sean Gregory, the TIME Senior Sports Correspondent. He highlighted the profound impact that the 36-year-old had on the world of football.

Gregory stated, “The reason Messi stands out is because of the football fever that he brought to the United States and really to the world throughout the year.” Lionel Messi indeed did elevate the interest in football in America with his surprise move to Inter Miami. Unsurprisingly, the World Cup win was also a topic of conversation in the reasoning.

Gregory further added, “Messi’s had better statistical years than 2023, but starting late last year, he won his first-ever World Cup. It was a crowning achievement of Leo Messi’s singular career.” In the end, he stated, “And since that time, everything he’s done has just been incrementally more important and more relevant to sports fans around the world.”

TIME Magazine’s selection of Lionel Messi as the Athlete of the Year is a testament to his unrivaled talent, and his ability to captivate audiences worldwide. While his move to Inter Miami became a key reason for him winning this prestigious accolade, it also helped the 8x Ballon d’Or winner become the biggest sports business story of 2023.

The Argentine’s move to the USA is the biggest sports story of 2023

The surprise transfer of Messi to Inter Miami has truly captivated fans. The move led to a significant increase in Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass membership. Also, the MLS side itself experienced a boost in stadium attendance despite higher ticket prices since the Argentine joined Inter Miami.

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Now, according to the Sports Business Journal, Lionel Messi’s move to the USA has been crowned as the biggest sports business story of 2023, receiving 22% of the votes in the poll. This, combined with being honored as Athlete of the Year, just shows the impact Lionel Messi has had this year.

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