Unusual: the player who was chosen as the best reinforcement in the MLS before Messi

The Greek striker Giorgos Giakoumakisof the Atlanta Unitedwas recognized this Thursday with the award for “Best Hire of the Year” of the north american league MLSfor which he was also a finalist Lionel Messi.

The Argentine star caused an earthquake in USA with its arrival in July to Miami and was able to propel the team to the first title in its history in the Leagues Cupthe joint tournament with the Mexican league.

In the regular season of the MLSHowever, the Albiceleste captain only played six games, four as a starter, with two goals and one assist.

Messiwhich was collected on Monday in Paris his eighth Golden Ballsuffered physical problems that prevented Inter from fighting for classification at the Playoffs.

Giakoumakison your side, He scored 17 goals and 3 assists in the 27 games who played in his first campaign in atlantaa team that is playing in the first round of the playoffs.

The Greek, for whose services the United paid some five million dollars to the Celtic Scottish, received an average of 45.78% of the general votes, which were divided by players (34.34%), clubs (46.34%) and media (56.65%).

Messiwho arrived free to Miami from the Paris Saint-Germainobtained 35.54% of the votes of the players, 34.15% of the teams and 12.14% of the journalists, for an average of 27.28%.

The third finalist was the German Eduard Lowenof the St.Louis Citywhich received the 15.44% of the votes.

Giakoumakis28 years old, succeeds the Argentine in the list of winners of this award Thiago Almadahis partner in atlanta and winner with Messi of the world Cup of Qatar in 2022.

Almada is part of the trio of finalists for the award MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the season along with the Argentine Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati) and the Gabonese Denis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC).