Lionel Messi will officially leave France once his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires on June 30. However, the Argentine will leave with one last honor.
Messi was voted the best foreign player for the 2022-23 Ligue 1 season, with the poll organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner won just over 52 percent of the vote during a consultation launched by the league on its Twitter account.
Lionel Messi est élu "𝗺𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘂𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗲𝘂𝗿 𝗲́𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿" de la saison 👏🏆#AwardsDeLaSaison | @PSG_inside pic.twitter.com/ZWmAIIC2jP
— Ligue 1 Uber Eats (@Ligue1UberEats) June 26, 2023
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is ahead of the Chilean striker from Olympique de Marseille, Alexis Sanchez (52.1 percent), the American striker from Stade de Reims, Folarin Balogun (13.7 percent), and the Canadian striker from Lille OSC, Jonathan David (10.8 percent).
Messi showcased his unrivaled talent by finishing as the top assist player with an impressive tally of 16 assists last season. Although at 36, the Argentine isn’t what he once was, PSG will need to fill his production this summer.
Nonetheless, this honor comes at an intriguing juncture in Messi’s career, with his contract at PSG set to expire on June 30. Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami is expected to significantly impact the growth and popularity of soccer in the United States.
His arrival will undoubtedly attract fans, media, and sponsors’ attention, propelling the sport.
