What! Inter Miami's Lionel Messi 'axed' from MLS Best XI?

In what might come as a shocker to football fans around the world, Argentine football star and Inter Miami's forward Lionel Messi has been "axed" from the Major League Soccer's (MLS) "Best XI".

A social media post made by MLS's official X account shows the creation of a message group chat titled "MLS Best XI" with MVP Lucho Acosta and others being added to the chat along with other notable players such as Hector Herrera, Hany Mukhtar and others, reported goal.com.

"Alright! We wanted you guys to hear it first: You're all part of the 2023 MLS Best XI!" the admin's message read. However, World Cup winner and Argentine star footballer Lionel Messi — part of Inter Miami — failed to make the squad.

Messi, who joined David Beckham-owned Inter Miami in July earlier this year, has made a significant impact in boosting the league's popularity around the world and in the United States as well.

However, according to goal.com, Messi's exclusion from the league's Best XI — based primarily on players' performances in regular season matches — is no surprise as the Argentine forward only featured in six regular season games.

Despite Messi's snub, the list included some new recognised and fresh faces as well with the likes of MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga, Cucho Hernandez, Matt Miazga and Giorgos Giakoumakis.

Furthermore, Walker Zimmerman also made it to the league's best players for the fifth consecutive time.