Welcome to Onside/Offside! Each week, Luis Miguel Echegaray discusses the latest from the soccer world, including standout performances, games you might have missed, what to keep an eye on in the coming days and of course, certain things that probably deserved extra love and criticism.
This week -- and to use a little poetic license -- it's the first edition of our End of Year Wrapped awards as LME gives you some of the most and least memorable moments of 2023 using stats and numbers compiled throughout the year.
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Messi's magical Miami summer
Lionel Messi and his family landed in South Florida on July 11 and from that moment, soccer and sports in America would never be the same again. Yes, it's fair to say that the avalanche of news actually started when Inter Miami and Messi made it official in early June, but when the 36-year-old World Cup champion stepped foot onto Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, that's when we knew it was real.
What followed was a summer like no other. From a casual trip to a Publix supermarket to running through a red light, every movement by La Pulga was reported. But it was the magic on the pitch and the club's Leagues Cup victory that made it such a memorable summer in the 305.
Lionel Messi's arrival in the U.S., Jude Bellingham's spectacular start at Real Madrid and Colombia women's performance at the women's World Cup were a few of the most notable storylines in 2023. Illustration by ESPNIt started with his debut and a 94th minute free-kick winner against Cruz Azul. Then, like a Moscow mule on South Beach, the goals and wins kept on coming and we couldn't get enough of the magic. Here was a team that was the worst in the league, devoid of creativity or tenacity. Messi's arrival not only transformed Inter Miami, but 41 days after his arrival, they were champions and collected their first trophy after beating Nashville SC in the Leagues Cup final Aug. 20.
Things calmed down ever so slightly after that as Messi needed to heal, rest and give some of his time to the Argentina national team. In the end, the odds of reaching the MLS playoffs were too steep, but it didn't matter. Inter Miami had a trophy and a place in the Champions Cup. Most importantly, they had Messi and a summer they will never forget.
Colombia made some noise at the Women's World Cup
After narrowly losing to eventual finalists England in the quarterfinal stages of this year's Women's World Cup, Colombia left Australia and New Zealand as heroes. To make it that far was a testament to their fight, on and off the pitch.
Playing England was an obstacle for Las Cafeteras, but it was nothing compared to everything they had to do to get there in the first place. Their battle has been about securing equal rights, equal pay, and adequate training and travel support from their own federation. The fact that Colombia became the first South American nation in 12 years to reach the final eight of the women's tournament while being the lowest-ranked team remaining was an incredible achievement.
They did it in style, too. How about 18-year-old Linda Caicedo? She became the first player in history to compete at three Women's World Cups (U-17, U-20, and senior) inside a year. Her opening goal against South Korea was a curling piece of beauty. From that moment, she never looked back.
Caicedo represents everything about this Colombian team and the message it always leaves behind: We will compete, no matter what you throw at us.
At this year's World Cup, everyone took notice.
Linda. Caicedo. This 18-year-old is absolutely taking over the World Cup with her performances.
Look at this goal.
A star is here.