Ballon D’or favourite Lionel Messi has been nominated for the MLS Newcomer of the Year award.
After joining Inter Miami in July, the World Cup 2022 winner has only played six league games in the American franchise division.
Messi has been nominated alongside St Louis City midfielder Eduard Lowen and Atlanta United’s Giogros Giakoumakis.
Giakoumakis has scored 17 goals in 27 games since arriving at Atlanta in February in a £4.3 million deal.
German football Olympian Eduard Lowen signed for St Louis in the summer and has already seen his contract extended through to 2027.
The 36-year-old was back to his best in the inaugural MLS Leagues Cup in August, scoring 10 goals in seven games in the tournament to help Miami lift the trophy.
Miami drew 1-1 to Nashville in the final and won the penalty shootout, with Messi leading by example by netting the first spot kick.
Nashville keeper Elliot Panicco missed his penalty in sudden death and Miami’s Drake Callender found the top corner to win Inter Miami their first ever piece of silverware.
