TIME Magazine Chooses Leo Messi as Athlete of the Year. The Argentine footballer revolutionized soccer in the U.S. with his arrival in MLS and won his eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023. “At the age of 36, two decades after his unparalleled career, Messi provided a singular stimulus to soccer in the United States. Attendance, ticket prices, merchandise sales, and viewership all skyrocketed. Their games took on the feel of a religious revival,” journalist Sean Gregory argued in the article. The publication recalls that thanks to his brilliant performance, the Argentine player gave the first title in the history of the institution (Leagues Cup) and favored Inter Miami to reach the final of the US Open Cup.
