Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images

Lionel Messi Receives Unfortunate News Days After New Year

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Manuel Meza Cienfuegos | Last updated Jan 2, 2026 8:58 PM ET

Lionel Messi received bad news on just the second day of 2026. The 2025 MLS Cup champion lost out on an award for Best South American Player of the recently ended year.

According to WorldSoccerTalk, more than 250 journalists voted, and Messi, 38, finished in second place, trailing by 15% behind the winner.

Flamengo superstar Giorgian De Arrascaeta won the award. Third place went to Adrian Martinez, with 12 votes (Messi had 39).

De Arrascaeta, 31, was key for Flamengo in 2025. The attacking midfielder played 64 matches, registering 25 goals and 20 assists. He competed in the Serie A, Copa do Brasil, Copa Libertadores, FIFA Club World Cup, and FIFA Intercontinental Cup, where he won the Challenger Cup and the Derby of the Americas.

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF looks on during the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Eastern Conference final match between Inter Miami CF and New York City FC at Chase Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images

Lionel Messi Suffers First Loss of 2026

Although he did not win the award, Messi also had a season with Inter Miami. They not only surprised friend and foe alike at the Club World Cup by advancing from the group stage, but they also won the Eastern Conference and secured the MLS Cup for the first time in their history.

Inter Miami is already working on what will be the 2026 season, in which it will no longer have big names like Jordi Alba or Sergio Busquets.

However, the Herons will continue to build around the undisputed leader of their project, Messi. The club’s priority is to surround the Argentine superstar with the best available talent in the transfer market.

The Argentine extended his contract with Inter Miami until 2028, so the Barcelona legend will remain a key piece both on the sporting side and in promotion for Miami Freedom Park, the club’s new stadium, which is set to open in 2026.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: