Lionel Messi Crowned MLS MVP, Breaks Goal-Scoring Record

Lionel Messi was awarded the Landon Donovan MVP Award for the 2024 MLS season on Friday.

He surpassed competitors including Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernández, Portland Timbers’ Evander, D.C. United’s Christian Benteke, and his Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez.

Messi won thanks to his 20 goals and 16 appearances in just 19 matches.

He joins Carlos Vela, who achieved 34 goals and 15 assists in 2019 with LAFC, and Sebastian Giovinco, who recorded 22 goals and 16 assists in 2015 with Toronto FC, as the only players in league history to reach at least 20 goals and 15 assists in a single season.

The MVP award is determined by a poll that includes players, club technical staff, and selected members of the media. Messi received 38.43% of the votes averaged compared to second-place finisher Benteke (33.70%).

This was his first full season with the club, having joined in July 2023.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced the news on Friday in a video featuring Inter Miami Academy students and Messi’s three sons.

“Truly, it is an honor for me to receive this award from all of you,” Messi said to the Academy players.

“It’s a source of pride to watch you all train. I’m very happy to be here every day. I’m very happy to be in this city, in this Club that is growing. It’s a pleasure to see you grow day by day. I invite you to keep fighting and striving for your dreams.”

The Miami captain received the award despite participating in only 55% of the 34-game regular season. He was sidelined for 62 days between June 1 and September 14 due to an ankle injury he sustained during Argentina’s victory over Colombia in the Copa América final.

During this time, the Herons played well, winning eight of nine games without him.

The award considers a player’s contributions and impact on the pitch at a minimum of 1,000 minutes played in the regular season, which is the league requirement for an MVP nomination.

Per FotMob, Messi averaged more than one goal every 90 minutes, which led the league. In 1,485 minutes, Messi averaged 2.18 goal contributions per match, which is a league record, according to MLS.

His performance and influence on the field were instrumental in helping Inter Miami secure the Supporters’ Shield and establish a single-season points record of 74.

However, despite a strong regular season that earned them the No. 1 seed for the playoffs, Inter Miami fell to Atlanta United in the first round, leaving their 2024 campaign ending disappointingly.

In November, Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who had taken the coaching role in June of 2023, resigned for personal reasons. Miami named Javier Mascherano, a former Barcelona and Argentina teammate and friend of Messi, to replace Martino.

The MLS Cup final is set for Saturday in Carson, California, where the LA Galaxy will host the New York Red Bulls.

The Galaxy aim to capture a record sixth Cup, while the Red Bulls are vying for their first title.