Lionel Messi was recently named Athlete of the Year for 2023 by Time magazine. On Oct 30, 2023, the 36-year-old lifted his 8th Ballon d’Or award trophy, becoming the first player from Major League Soccer (美国职业足球大联盟) ever to win the award. “Lionel Messi managed to do what once seemed impossible, when he signed with Inter Miami: turning the US into a soccer country,” Time magazine commented.