After securing his record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or award, Lionel Messi has added another prestigious individual honor to his collection by being named TIME Magazine’s ‘Athlete of the Year.’ Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami, surpassed other finalists, including Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and World Cup finalist Kylian Mbappe.
TIME Magazine’s announcement marks a historic moment, as Lionel Messi becomes the first individual soccer player ever to receive the Athlete of the Year award in the magazine’s history. The recognition follows Messi’s outstanding achievements and contributions to the sport, further solidifying his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
In 2019, the US Women’s National Team made history as the first soccer players to be honored with the TIME Magazine Athlete of the Year award. Previous individual recipients include iconic figures such as LA Lakers’ LeBron James, gymnast Simone Biles, and baseball legend Aaron Judge. Messi’s latest accolade underscores his impact on the world of sports and his enduring legacy in football.
