10 months ago
Lionel Messi whitethorn person won his eighth Ballon d'Or this year, but he wasn't capable to triumph different 1 of soccer's prestigious prizes: nan MLS Newcomer of nan Year Award.
That grant went to Atlanta United striker Giorgos Giakoumakis - who bagged 17 goals for nan Five Stripes successful a play that saw them decorativeness sixth and successful an MLS Cup Playoff spot.
In conscionable his first season, nan erstwhile Celtic man's 17 goals was bully for a T-2 decorativeness successful nan aureate footwear race.
Giakoumakis tied pinch Cincinnati guardant and MVP favourite Luciano Acosta and was 3 down Golden Boot victor Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC.
He besides managed 3 assists connected nan play - bully for seventh champion connected a squad that featured nan league's apical extremity distributor: Thiago Almada.
Atlanta United striker Giorgos Giakoumakis won nan MLS Newcomer of nan Year award
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi conscionable missed retired connected different grant successful his first play successful America
Giakoumakis is much than deserving - scoring a convention second-best 17 goals this season
But this besides highlights nan deficiency of occurrence that Messi had successful his MLS debut - while he performed good successful ancillary competitions, he wasn't arsenic successful successful nan league.
He bagged 2 assists successful nan 1 US Open Cup crippled he played and contributed 10 goals and an assistance successful Inter Miami's title winning Leagues Cup campaign.
But erstwhile it came to MLS, Messi was only capable to lend a solitary extremity and 2 assists successful six matches.
Inter Miami struggled earlier Messi's presence and they couldn't propulsion themselves up capable to suffice for MLS Cup Playoffs.
By seasons end, nan nine had only moved up 1 spot successful nan standings arsenic they'll look to re-group for 2024.
