Despite only appearing in six league matches for Inter Miami, Lionel Messi was chosen one of three contenders on Thursday for Major League Soccer’s Newcomer of the Year award.

In August, the 36-year-old striker led Miami to victory in a tournament featuring MLS and Mexican league clubs, and he later helped lead Argentina to World Cup gold in Qatar.

Inter snapped an 11-match winless slide with a 2-0 victory over New York Red Bulls on August 26, Messi’s first game with Miami in Major League Soccer.

Despite Messi’s best efforts, a nagging leg ailment prevented Miami from climbing out of last place and into the MLS playoffs.

Since joining Inter Miami in July, Messi has been a huge revenue generator for the MLS through jersey sales, increased season pass subscriptions, and increased ticket sales for all of Miami’s home games.

Messi’s competitors for the newcomer award, which goes to a player who made his Major League Soccer debut this year, are Atlanta United’s Greek striker Giorgos Giakoumakis and St. Louis City’s German midfielder Eduard Lowen.

Messi was also among the nominees for MLS’s Most Valuable Player award, but he was ultimately left out of the top three.

Los Angeles FC’s French-born Gabonese international and MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga, FC Cincinnati’s Argentine midfielder Luciano Acosta, and Atlanta United’s Argentine standout Thiago Almada were the others.