Inter Miami's Lionel Messi to be awarded MARCA America Award for soccer legacy

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi was named the 2024 MARCA America award recipient, being handed the accolade for his soccer legacy and is the first-ever winner of the award.

Over his storied career, the Argentine has won eight Ballon d'Or awards, three FIFA Best Men's Player awards, four UEFA Champions League titles, two Copa Americas, a FIFA World Cup, and numerous individual trophies.

Now, competing in MLS with Inter Miami, he has continued to grow and establish himself as one of the most important and influential athletes in the country.

For nearly 100 years, MARCA has been Spain's leading sports outlet for national and international sports.

Since 1997, they have held the MARCA Legends Awards, with previous notable winners being Michael Jordan, Pele, Diego Armando Maradona, Tom Brady, Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Alonso, Pau Gasol, and Rafa Nadal. The aim of the award is to recognize individuals who have helped shape sports worldwide.

With U.S. expansion in 2024, MARCA has now introduced the American award, taking all of Major League Soccer, UFC, boxing, the NFL, MLB, and the NBA into account for it.

Across his illustrious career, Messi has won 56 individual footballing awards and 46-total team awards, amounting to an impressive 102 total.

Thursday's award will be presented to him by Juan Ignacio Gallardo, director of MARCA, alongside Jorge Mas, one of the owners of Inter Miami.

Messi and the Herons wrap up their regular season Saturday evening in a match against the New England Revolution. Then, they'll return to action in Round 1 of the 2024 MLS playoffs, with their opponent TBD.