MLS Newcomer of the Year award: Messi losses to Giakoumakis
You win some you lose some. That is the way to capture the scenerio as 8-time Ballon d’ Or winner Lionel Messi lost out in MLS Newcomer of the Year award Thursday
That honor this time went to Atlanta United striker Giorgos Giakoumakis who bagged 17 goals for the Five Stripes in a season that saw them finish sixth and in an MLS Cup Playoff spot.
In just his first season, the former Celtic man’s 17 goals was good for a T-2 finish in the golden boot race.
Giakoumakis tied with Cincinnati forward and MVP favorite Luciano Acosta and was three behind Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC
READ ALSO Messi among Inter Miami stars eyeing MLS Newcomer of the Year award
He also managed three assists on the season good for seventh best on a team that featured the league’s top goal distributor: Thiago Almada.
But this also highlights the lack of success that Messi had in his MLS debut while he performed well in ancillary competitions, he wasn’t as successful in the league.
He bagged two assists in the one US Open Cup game he played and contributed ten goals and an assist in Inter Miami’s title winning Leagues Cup campaign.
READ ALSO Osimhen reveals preference for MLS over Saudi pro league
But when it came to MLS, Messi was only able to contribute a solitary goal and two assists in six matches.
Inter Miami struggled before Messi’s arrival and they couldn’t pull themselves up enough to qualify for MLS Cup Playoffs.
By seasons end, the club had only moved up one spot in the standings as they’ll look to re-group for 2024.
The last 10 winners of the MLS ‘Newcomer of the Year’ award
2022 Thiago Almada – Atlanta United
2021 Cristian Arango – LAFC
2020 Lucas Zelarayán – Columbus Crew
2019 Carles Gil – New England Revolution
2018 Zlatan Ibrahimovic – LA Galaxy
2017 Miguel Almirón – Atlanta United
2016 Nicolás Lodeiro – Seattle Sounders
2015 Sebastian Giovinco – Toronto FC
2014 Pedro Morales – Vancouver Whitecaps
2013 Diego Valeri – Portland Timbers