Lionel Messi, once again, wins another award. This time with Inter Miami.
On January 15th, the World Cup winner was awarded FIFA’s Best Men’s Player of the Year award.
According to ESPN, the 36-year-old won the accolade due to his heroics at Miami for their Leagues Cup run and winning the league title at Paris Saint Germain.
Though many believed Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe would’ve won the award, Messi beat the duo out by only a couple of points.
Even though the Argentine didn’t attend the ceremony, undoubtedly his presence was missed.
Messi preps for 2024 with Inter Miami
Messi had a good reason for his absence at The Best Awards.
The 36-year-old is currently in South Florida prepping for his second season with Miami.
According to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, the Argentine stayed back to have a competitive preseason with Inter Miami.
“The reason for Messi’s absence in London: He has started training for Inter Miami and traveling to London would have meant 3/4 days lost,” the journalist stated.
“He has to adjust to his new football calendar. He had some physical problems second half of the year and he wants to do a proper preseason as he didn’t have one last season He takes preseason preparation very seriously, specially in such an important season for Inter Miami and of course with Argentina in the Copa America.”
It looks like the forward still has the drive to compete. Let’s see if the Herons can continue the same success they had last summer.
Follow Alex Windley on X and subscribe to her Substack The Heron’s Nest for more Inter Miami analysis.