Within 8 months Lionel Messi surpasses Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tom Brady, and others as favorite athlete in the US

Lionel Messi achieved a historic milestone as he emerged as the top-ranked athlete in the US, surpassing iconic figures like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and LeBron James. The Inter Miami star was voted as the most famous athlete in a poll conducted by the SSRS group.

The Argentine World Cup winner, who joined Inter Miami last season on a two-and-a-half-year contract, has provided a major boost to football all over the USA. His presence has bolstered David Beckham‘s team’s prospects of clinching the MLS title. Messi made an impressive debut in the MLS last season, netting 11 goals in his initial 14 matches.

These statistics have now plummeted the player to an all-time high in the USA, as he was named America’s favorite professional athlete. He became the first soccer player to reach the top of the list, since its inception in 1994. The poll was conducted among the American sports-loving public, by the Social Science Research Solutions group. The ex-Barcelona star’s popularity has also surpassed NBA legend Michael Jordan’s, who held the top position between 1995 to 2006.

Lionel Messi is the eighth sportsman to have topped the coveted list. Apart from Michael Jordan, the 36-year-old has surpassed golfing icon Tiger Woods, NFL luminaries Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, and NBA superstars LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kobe Bryant.

Lionel Messi will lead Argentina to play two friendly internationals in the United States in March 2024

Lionel Messi is expected to lead the Argentinean side during two friendly matches, that will take place in March, in the United States. The Inter Miami star will likely captain his national side, for both matches that will help them prepare for the upcoming Copa America, to be held in the USA.

The reigning world champions will face El Salvador at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on March 22, before moving to Los Angeles to play Nigeria at the Memorial Coliseum on March 26. The Argentinean star may need to skip Inter Miami’s game against the New York Red Bulls at RB Arena on March 23 to represent Argentina.

Moreover, he would return to action with the Herons on March 30, against New York City FC. This decision regarding his participation in upcoming matches follows criticism he faced for not participating in Inter Miami’s friendlies in Hong Kong.

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