Lionel Messi’s 2024 came to an abrupt end with Inter Miami’s early exit from the MLS play-offs, yet the forward’s year was still quite a success.
The 37-year-old attacker led Argentina to the 2024 Copa America title as Messi made the Team of the Tournament and added a second continental trophy with the South American giants to his record-breaking title cabinet.
For Inter Miami, Messi won MLS MVP as the former PSG and FC Barcelona superstar inspired the Herons to the Supporters’ Shield title as the Florida franchise also set a new regular-season points record under former manager Tata Martino.
And Messi has now ranked about a long-term rival in a new list of the world’s top 100 soccer players.
Messi ranked above Ronaldo in Guardian’s top 100 male soccer players list
As per the Guardian’s annual top 100 male soccer players in the world list, Messi has this year ranked at 27 in the ranking, the first time the Argentine international has not placed in the top-ten since the yearly article began in 2012.
Despite the placement, Messi is still ranked way above long-term rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who only comes in at 42, behind the likes of rumored Inter Miami target Kevin De Bruyne and Herons-linked Antoine Grizemann.
With another Inter Miami target in Mohamed Salah ranking in at number 11 on the list, Messi’s placement feels justified given how much of 2024 the attacker spent out on the treatment table due to injuries and various fitness issues.
Indeed, heading into 2025 with the FIFA Club World Cup coming up and Inter Miami set to make a major signing or two in January, there’s a real chance that Messi could rise in next year’s list if the forward can remain fit and healthy for the Herons, who will be relying on the Argentine to perform.
How good was Messi really for Inter Miami in 2024?
Messi’s year with Inter Miami was a mixed one, with the attacker exceptional whenever available to play yet almost missing half of the games the Herons played in due to injuries and international commitments.
| Lionel Messi’s 2024 Inter Miami stats | Games played | Goals | Assists |
| MLS/MLS play-offs | 22 | 22 | 12 |
| CONCACAF Champions Cup | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 25 | 23 | 13 |
Yet even after all these problems, Messi still enjoyed an incredible 2024 with Inter Miami, with the forward managing 35 goal contributions in 25 games and leading the Florida franchise to a Supporters’ Shield title.
Heading into 2025, Messi will want his fitness to be as sharp as ever with some big events coming up for Inter Miami, and Javier Mascherano will know that keeping the 37-year-old fit will be key to the Chase Stadium side going the distance in the Club World Cup and in MLS.