Lionel Messi claims back-to-back MLS MVP honours, leading Inter Miami to the MLS Cup while topping the league in goals and assists
MIAMI: Lionel Messi has won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award.
The Inter Miami forward earned the honour after propelling his club to the MLS Cup title and leading the league in goals during the regular season.
Messi is the first player in MLS history to win the MVP award in back-to-back years.
He becomes only the second player to capture two MVP trophies, following Preki who won in 1997 and 2003.
“I’m happy to receive this award and be the first in the history of this league to win it in two consecutive years,” Messi said.
The 38-year-old Argentine scored 29 regular-season goals, the fourth-highest total in any MLS campaign, and provided 19 assists to also claim the MLS Golden Boot.
“I’m thankful for this recognition,” Messi added.
He signed a three-year contract extension with Miami in October.
Messi also became only the second player to lead the league in both regular-season goals and assists, joining Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco from 2015.
In the MLS playoffs, he netted six goals and created nine others.
Inter Miami beat Vancouver 3-1 in the final last weekend to win its first MLS Cup, with Messi delivering two key assists to earn MLS Cup MVP honours.
He won the season MVP award with 70.43% of the total vote, far ahead of runner-up Anders Dreyer of San Diego FC.
Messi took 83.05% of media votes, 73.08% of club votes and 55.17% of player votes.
He also set a new MLS record with 10 multi-goal games in a single season.
Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023 and helped the club win the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield. – AFP
