Sports

Lionel Messi Named 2024 MLS MVP After Stellar Season with Inter Miami

Published on December 11, 2024

Lionel Messi has been named the 2024 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player, recognizing his exceptional contributions to Inter Miami during his inaugural season in Major League Soccer (MLS). The announcement was made on December 6, 2024, marking a significant achievement for the Argentine superstar.

Despite missing 15 of Inter Miami’s 34 regular-season matches due to injuries and national team commitments, Messi made a remarkable impact on the field. He scored 20 goals and provided 16 assists in just 19 appearances, leading the league with a total of 36 goal contributions.

This performance not only set a new standard for goal involvement per 90 minutes in MLS history but also placed him among the few players to achieve at least 20 goals and 15 assists in a single season.

Messi secured the MVP award by receiving 38.43% of the votes, narrowly edging out Cucho Hernández of Columbus Crew, who garnered 33.7%. The award is determined through a poll involving players, club technical staff, and selected media members.

The announcement was celebrated during a surprise event at DRV PNK Stadium, where over 250 Inter Miami academic players formed the letters MVP on the field, and Messi’s children presented him with the trophy.

In his acceptance speech, Messi expressed gratitude to the fans and young athletes, stating, Truly, it is an honor for me to receive this award from all of you. He emphasized the importance of dedication and perseverance in achieving success

Messi’s contributions were pivotal in leading Inter Miami to its first-ever Supporters’ Shield title and an MLS single-season points record of 74. His presence on the team transformed their performance, as they recorded only one loss during matches he played.

This MVP award adds to Messi’s illustrious career, which includes multiple Ballon d’Or titles and a World Cup victory with Argentina. As he continues to make waves in MLS, his influence on the league and its growing popularity cannot be overstated.