There are very few awards or accolades that Lionel Messi is yet to receive in his career but he has his eyes set on one that has so far eluded him.
Messi was recently named the 2024 MLS MVP and also holds the record for the most Ballon d’Or wins with eight.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer recently lauded Messi as ‘the best ever’, there is no doubt he is still highly valued by his fellow professionals.
Despite this Messi recently failed to retain his FIFA The Best award as he finished in sixth place, he will be looking to do better in his latest award nomination.
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Messi joins nominations for the El Pais’ King of America Award
The King of America Award, which simply acknowledges the best South American footballer of the year, has been running since 1971.
Messi’s current teammate Luis Suarez finished second in the award last year with former club Gremio.
The award has never been won by a player in the MLS and was last won by a player playing outside of South America in 2007 when Salvador Cabanas picked up the award playing for Mexican side Club America.
Inter Miami face Club America in one of Javier Mascherano’s pre-season friendlies on January 18th, 2025.
Messi has been joined by another former MLS star in the nominations Thiago Almada. The Argentine youngster left Atlanta United to join Brazilian side Botafogo.
Nominees:
- Lionel Messi – Inter Miami
- Thiago Almada – Botafogo
- Luis Enrique – Botafogo
- Jefferson Savarino – Botafogo
- Leonardo Fernandez – Penarol
While Messi has his work cut out competing with three players from Brazilian Serie A champions Botafogo he would love to make history once more.
- Read more: Where Lionel Messi now ranks in top 100 players in the world, he’s above a long term rival
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Previous King of American Award winners
As previously mentioned the award has been running for over 50 years now and a host of star names have won the prestigious prize.
Pele, Diego Maradona and Zico have all won the award, not bad company for Messi if he manages to secure the honour.
Messi never had the chance to win the award as a youngster as he came straight through the Barcelona academy.
Here is the list of people to have won the award more than once:
- Zico – 3
- Tevez – 3
- Figueroa – 3
- Maradona – 2
- Francescoli – 2
- Neymar – 2
- Veron – 2
- Valderrama – 2
There is no doubting Lionel Messi’s MLS impact, can he now help continue its growth on the global stage by bringing home this major award?