Messi loses MLS Newcomer of the Year Award to Atlanta’s Giakoumakis

Atlanta United striker Giorgos Giakoumakis was named the 2023 MLS Newcomer of the Year on Thursday over Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi who was also nominated for the award.

FILE PHOTO: Messi loses to Atlanta’s Giakoumakis for MLS Newcomer of the Year Award | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Atlanta United striker Giorgos Giakoumakis was named the 2023 MLS Newcomer of the Year.

The Greek international has scored 17 goals and three assists in 27 matches in 21 starts in this MLS season.

Lionel Messi was also among the six players nominated for the award but the eight times Ballon D’ Or winner has lost the award to Giakoumakis.

Messi came second in the polls with 27.3 percent of the votes compared to Giakoumakis who earned 45.8 percent of the votes from players, club technical staff and media.

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Giakoumakis was brought in from Scotland’s Celtic FC in February to replace Josef Martinez at the front.

Atlanta’s Thiago Almada won it last year and Miguel Almiron, hailing from the same club won it back in 2017.

Messi was ruled out due to injury for Inter Miami FC last month which is why the Argentine legend missed quite a few games in the MLS.