Website: www.theathletic.com

Staff Involved: Journalists Paul Tenorio, Felipe Cardenas, Pablo Maurer, Tom Bogert, Jeff Rueter and David Ornstein along with editors Alex Kay-Jelski, Alex Abnos, Brooks Peck and Luke Brown. Mike Zimmerman with podcast element.

Entry: The arrival of Lionel Messi to Major League Soccer was one of the most pivotal moments in the history of soccer in North America. The editorial soccer team at The Athletic were at the forefront; breaking the news of Messi joining Inter Miami FC and following along every step of the way, from every angle, as he created an instant phenomenon upon arrival.

The Athletic staff who covered Messi's every step in 2023 is comprised of the most well-respected journalists in the industry including Paul Tenorio, Felipe Cardenas, Pablo Maurer, Tom Bogert, Jeff Rueter and David Ornstein along with editors Alex Kay-Jelski, Alex Abnos, Brooks Peck and Luke Brown. Mike Zimmerman presented the podcast element. The collection of stories in The Athletic during the first week of Messi's arrival in North America garnered record-high page views for the outlet, which showcased the premier level of coverage and news that the team produced during this time. A story by Paul Tenorio during the first of Messi's arrival reached 44 times the amount of readers who would usually read an MLS piece on The Athletic.