2023-12-31 23:22:47
31/12/2023 18:22hs.
Lionel Messi closes a 2023 full of unforgettable moments. This year, Leo participated in 45 games, scored 28 goals, distributed 12 assists and added two new titles to his record (Ligue 1 with PSG and the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami). And if it was not enough, He was awarded his eighth Ballon d’Or after what he did at the World Cup in Qatar.
Although his scoring record does not compare to what he had several years ago, the Rosario’s numbers continue to give something to talk about. The captain of Argentina scored wherever he went: he scored eight times with the National Team, nine with PSG and 11 with Inter Miami. In addition, he achieved great personal marks, such as his 100th goal with the Albiceleste, his 800th career goal and more. Therefore, at Olé we invite you to relive all of Leo’s goals in 2023.
Messi’s 8 goals with the National Team in 2023
8/9 – 1-0 a Ecuador (1): free kick goal. The thousands and thousands of fans who were in the Monumental got up from their seats at 77 minutes because they sensed that something could happen in that free kick in favor of Argentina. And what they imagined, by the way, happened. But better than expected: Lionel Messi invented a great goal from a free kick… Immaculate. Plethoric. From 10.
10/18 – 0-2 to Peru (x2): Lionel nailed a left foot after an assist from Nico González, on a 12-second counterattack, and then made it 2-0 after a pass from Enzo Fernández.
Friendly with the National Team
3/24 – 0-5 against Panama (1): Leo nailed it from a distance, making it 2-0 over Panama and scoring goal No. 800 in his career. Free shot
29/3 – 7-0 a Curazao (x3): Another day of celebration for Lionel with the Argentine fans. The captain enjoyed the night in Santiago del Estero, taking the ball for his hundred goals and then another for the hat-trick.
15/6 – 2-0 Australia (1): As soon as the friendly match with Australia began, Leo was dispatched with a remote control to the corner. Messi’s great goal at 79 seconds, the fastest in his career
Leo’s 9 goals with PSG
11/1 – 2-0 vs. Angers (1): Leo reappeared after the World Cup, without a tribute from the club, and scored the second for the victory against Angers, last in the Ligue 1 table.
1/2 – 1-3 vs. Montpellier (1): Messi was in charge of scoring a great goal. After a great pass from Fabián Ruiz, La Pulga defined exquisitely so that his team could stretch the difference and was applauded by the institution. Previously they had had a goal disallowed for offside; However, the Argentine star had a second chance and he did not waste it.
4/2 – 2-1 vs. Touluse (1): Phenomenal left foot shot by Leo from the crescent of the area to make it 2-1 for PSG. Another genius from the world champion.
19/2 – 4-2 vs. Small (1): Leo generated the free kick with two to go, kicked it into the goalkeeper’s post and made it 4-3 after the ball hit the post. Everyone went to hug him.
26/2 – 0-3 vs. Marseille (1): Messi only had to push it to make it 2-0 partial. Good play by Mbappé on the wing, who found the Argentine alone in the six-yard box. Lethal combination.
4/3 – 4-2 vs. Nantes (1): Leo anticipated everyone in the area and scored first to open the scoring in what would be a 4-2 victory for the Parisian team.
8/4 – 0-2 vs. Niza (1): Leo’s goal-scoring nose and first-class finish, who opened the scoring in PSG’s 2-0 victory in Nice.
15/4 – 3-1 vs. Lens (1): Leo grabbed the ball and they couldn’t stop him. He got a man off of him, threw a wall with Mbappé (who returned it with a cue) and scored at the far post to seal PSG’s victory.
27/5 – 1-1 vs. Strasbourg (1): Messi’s last goal in Ligue 1 was the one that gave PSG the title. The man from Rosario nailed a left-footed shot to the corner that allowed the Parisian team to get the point they needed to claim champion. Something to remember.
His 11 goals at Inter Miami
22/7 – 1-2 vs. Cruz Azul (1): In his debut with Inter Miami, Leo came off the bench and gave his team the victory. In the last play of the game, the Argentine had a free kick and, as is customary, he hit it from the corner to make it 2-1 in favor of Inter Miami. A historic debut.
26/7 – 4-0 vs. Atlanta (2): Lionel excelled against Atlanta United with a double. First, he took advantage of a one-on-one and put her close to the post. And then, he started a play and he defined it himself inside the area.
3/8 – 3-1 vs. Orlando (2): Messi excelled in the Clásico del Sol with his second double in a row. With two volleys, Leo gave the Garzas the victory and qualified his club to the round of 16.
7/8 – 4(4)-4(5) vs. Dallas (2): Third double in a row from Lionel, who gave Inter Miami the tie in the 85th minute with a sensational free kick that forced penalties. In the shootout, the player from Rosario did not fail and goalkeeper Drake Callender was the great hero.
12/8 – 4-0 vs. Charlotte (1): The Argentine scored inside the six-yard box to seal his team’s victory in the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup.
16/8 – 1-4 vs. Philadelphia (1): Lionel made it 2-0 for the Garzas with a shot from 30 meters that hit the goalkeeper’s bottom left corner.
20/8 – 1(9)-1(10) Nashvile (1): Messi and a key goal in another final. He took a man off of him, and although three defenders covered him, the man from Rosario took a shot from outside the area that hit the corner. Unassailable. With that goal, Inter Miami forced the penalties, where Leo did not fail either and the Herons became champions after a great performance by Drake Callender.
27/8 – 1-0 vs. New York (1): Leo entered and secured the victory vs. New York RB. It was a complete goal: a pirouette from Alba, a tremendous pass from Leo and a wall to push the ball.
Messi’s 2023
The euphoria over the victory of the Argentine National Team in Qatar 2022 was still fresh, immersing the country in a festive atmosphere that was naturally reflected in the members of the Scaloneta. However, for Leo, time to celebrate was scarce.: Christophe Galtier demanded a quick return to the Parc des Princes. Unfortunately, the joy of the Albiceleste did not translate to France, since PSG was eliminated from the French Cup (2-1 against Marseille) and the Champions League (1-0 and 2-0 defeats), being Messi unfairly singled out as the main target of criticism by the ultras.
Leo’s turbulent moment in Paris had a counterbalance with the celebrations of the Scaloneta, with victories over Panama (2-0, in the Monumental) and Curacao (7-0, in the Madre de Ciudades de Santiago del Estero). Throughout much of his career, Messi had enjoyed outstanding performances at Barcelona, but had faced challenges and disappointments with the National Team. On this occasion, the lack of recognition in Paris was contrasted with the joy of playing in his homeland.
Immersed in a tense atmosphere with Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the fans and even the coach himself, Leo made the decision to leave Paris. Contrary to expectations of a return to Barcelona, despite two years of speculation about his return, Messi’s destination was Inter Miami. His close relationship with David Beckham, the desire to experience life in the United States, the good connection with Gerardo Martino and the support of friends like Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, were determining factors that prompted him to undertake this new adventure on the other side of the world. Atlantic.
After two years at PSG, Leo slammed the door. (AP)
Messi’s impact was instantaneous: with 10 goals in his first seven games, led Inter Miami, which was previously the worst team in Major League Soccer, to win the Leagues Cup. However, the team had faced difficulties in the first half of the season, forcing it to avoid mistakes in its quest to make the MLS playoffs. The intensity of the schedule, with matches every three days, not only challenged the team led by Tata Martino, but also physically affected Messi himself.
On the first date of the South American Qualifiers, in the confrontation between Argentina and Ecuador at the Monumental Stadium, Messi requested the substitution at 44′ ST, visibly affected in the back of his right leg. The wear and tear of numerous matches had taken its toll on the 10. Due to a femoral biceps injury, he missed the 3-0 against Bolivia (in La Paz) and seven of the 13 matches in the United States. His absence in Miami had a considerable impact, reflected in the defeat in the US Open Cup final (2-1 against Houston Dynamo) and in the elimination of Inter Miami in the regular phase of the MLS.
Leo, Leagues Cup champion with Inter Miami. (AFP)
“The France Football Ballon d’Or 2023 is… Lionel Messi”, declared David Beckham in Paris. Despite Erling Haaland’s outstanding season at Manchester City, the world once again recognized Leo as the best footballer on the planet, consolidating his position after his achievements in Qatar. With the eighth award in his history, Messi did not return to Miami, but instead left for Argentina to face the last double qualifying date of the year.
The start was not ideal. In La Bombonera, the Argentine National Team suffered a 2-0 defeat against Uruguay, ending the positive streak in the Qualifiers. “We have to accept that they played better,” analyzed the 10. Later, at the Maracaná, the story took a complete turn: lScaloneta won 1-0 in the middle of a World Cup atmosphere and achieved a historic victory in Rio de Janeiro. However, doubts about Scaloni’s continuity and a tear in the right adductor that forced Messi to leave shortly before the end clouded the night.
Definitely, Messi’s 2023 has not been his best year. However, a normal year for Leo is brilliant for other footballers. He established himself in Ligue1 and the Leagues Cup. He had 40 contributions in goals (28 goals and 12 assists) in 45 games played. In addition, he won the Ballon d’Or, with a certain amount of merit in the 2022 World Cup. What awaits Leo in 2024? First, the Copa América in the United States. Then, the complete MLS season and the participation in a new international competition: the Concachampions.
In Paris, Leo won his 8th. Ballon d’Or. (@InterMiamiCF)
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