Lionel Messi was shockingly omitted from the MLS Best XI of the Season, despite the Argentine recently clinching the Ballon d'Or award.
Messi joined MLS side Inter Miami on a free transfer on July 15, 2023, following the expiration of his two-year deal with Paris Saint Germain.
Despite not being able to guide the Miami-based club to the MLS playoffs, Lionel Messi was impressive in the majority of the matches he featured for the club before their season concluded.
The 36-year-old scored 11 goals and provided 5 assists in 14 appearances for Inter Miami.
He also helped the Herons win their first trophy since they were founded, winning the Leagues Cup in August 2023.
However, these weren't enough to hand him a place in the MLS Best XI for the just concluded MLS season.
The XI is determined by members of the media, MLS players, and club staff. It is worth noting that the players selected in the best eleven play for seven clubs that all made it to the playoffs.
Additionally, 8 players made the XI for the first time, with four clubs also having at least 2 players selected.
Los Angeles' Denis Bouanga leads in attack, having claimed the league's Golden Boot with 20 goals and 7 assists in 31 appearances.
The Gabonese has so far scored 37 goals across all competitions in 2023 - one behind teammate Carlos Vela's record of 38, for goals scored in a calendar year.
Giorgos Giakoumakis of Atlanta United was also chosen in attack, and he also achieved massive strides in the past season.
Giakoumakis won the 2023 MLS newcomer of the year award, having scored 17 goals in 27 matches.
Completing the front trio is Cucho Hernandez of Columbus Crew, and he was also dazzling last term, with 16 goals and 11 assists.
The formation that was deployed was a 3-4-3 formation, and straight to the midfield, Luciano Acosta, who won the Most Valuable Player made an unsurprising appearance.
Acosta, who plays for FC Cincinnati has really had a great season, with 18 goals and 12 assists.
Luciano Acosta is doing all within his power to guide his team to the MLS Cup crown this campaign.
The Argentine received a staggering 60.37% of the MVP votes, easily displacing second-placed Denis Bouanga, who received 14.97% votes, while Thiago Almada got 6.46%.
Alongside Acosta in midfield, Almada was also selected for the MLS Best XI, having won the MLS Young Player of the Year award.
The 22-year-old went on to set a club record for assists in a single campaign with 19, and he has caught the eye of several European clubs.
The final two names in midfield, include; Houston Dynamo's Hector Herrera and Nashville's Hany Mukhtar.
Matt Miazga, who won the MLS Defender of the Year was selected in the 3-man backline, following an impressive season for FC Cincinnati.
FC Cincinnati conceded just 39 goals last season, and that can be attributed to the brilliance of Miazga.
Experienced defender, Tim Parker, who assisted St. Louis City to the summit of the Western Conference also made the MLS Best XI alongside Nashville's Walker Zimmerman, who had an outstanding campaign.
Roman Burki was the goalkeeper chosen in goal, having assisted St Louis City to 17 wins during their first season in the division.
Burki also recorded the second most saves in the 2023 season and 4th highest in terms of save percentage amongst active goalkeepers in the MLS.
Messi joined MLS side Inter Miami on a free transfer on July 15, 2023, following the expiration of his two-year deal with Paris Saint Germain.
Despite not being able to guide the Miami-based club to the MLS playoffs, Lionel Messi was impressive in the majority of the matches he featured for the club before their season concluded.
The 36-year-old scored 11 goals and provided 5 assists in 14 appearances for Inter Miami.
He also helped the Herons win their first trophy since they were founded, winning the Leagues Cup in August 2023.
However, these weren't enough to hand him a place in the MLS Best XI for the just concluded MLS season.
The XI is determined by members of the media, MLS players, and club staff. It is worth noting that the players selected in the best eleven play for seven clubs that all made it to the playoffs.
Additionally, 8 players made the XI for the first time, with four clubs also having at least 2 players selected.
Los Angeles' Denis Bouanga leads in attack, having claimed the league's Golden Boot with 20 goals and 7 assists in 31 appearances.
The Gabonese has so far scored 37 goals across all competitions in 2023 - one behind teammate Carlos Vela's record of 38, for goals scored in a calendar year.
Giorgos Giakoumakis of Atlanta United was also chosen in attack, and he also achieved massive strides in the past season.
Giakoumakis won the 2023 MLS newcomer of the year award, having scored 17 goals in 27 matches.
Completing the front trio is Cucho Hernandez of Columbus Crew, and he was also dazzling last term, with 16 goals and 11 assists.
The formation that was deployed was a 3-4-3 formation, and straight to the midfield, Luciano Acosta, who won the Most Valuable Player made an unsurprising appearance.
Acosta, who plays for FC Cincinnati has really had a great season, with 18 goals and 12 assists.
Luciano Acosta is doing all within his power to guide his team to the MLS Cup crown this campaign.
The Argentine received a staggering 60.37% of the MVP votes, easily displacing second-placed Denis Bouanga, who received 14.97% votes, while Thiago Almada got 6.46%.
Alongside Acosta in midfield, Almada was also selected for the MLS Best XI, having won the MLS Young Player of the Year award.
The 22-year-old went on to set a club record for assists in a single campaign with 19, and he has caught the eye of several European clubs.
The final two names in midfield, include; Houston Dynamo's Hector Herrera and Nashville's Hany Mukhtar.
Matt Miazga, who won the MLS Defender of the Year was selected in the 3-man backline, following an impressive season for FC Cincinnati.
FC Cincinnati conceded just 39 goals last season, and that can be attributed to the brilliance of Miazga.
Experienced defender, Tim Parker, who assisted St. Louis City to the summit of the Western Conference also made the MLS Best XI alongside Nashville's Walker Zimmerman, who had an outstanding campaign.
Roman Burki was the goalkeeper chosen in goal, having assisted St Louis City to 17 wins during their first season in the division.
Burki also recorded the second most saves in the 2023 season and 4th highest in terms of save percentage amongst active goalkeepers in the MLS.
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