Messi Claims Consecutive MLS MVP Awards Following Record-Breaking Campaign

‎After guiding Inter Miami to the club’s first MLS Cup, Lionel Messi has been named the Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player for the 2025 season.

‎League commissioner Don Garber made the announcement on Tuesday. Messi finished the season with 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 appearances.

‎His 48 goal contributions came just one short of Carlos Vela’s single-season record, which was achieved in 31 games.

‎Messi joins Kansas City Wizards legend Preki as one of only two players to win the MLS MVP award twice, becoming the first to claim it in consecutive seasons.

‎At 38, he is not the oldest MVP in league history.

‎That record belongs to Preki, who won the award at age 40 in 2003, making him the oldest MVP in North American professional sports history.

‎In 2024, there was some debate over Messi winning the MVP award after an injury-hit season in which he played just 55% of Miami’s games, the lowest share ever for an MVP winner in North American professional sports.

Messi stat in 2025

‎In 2025, however, any doubts were quickly erased. Messi delivered the best attacking season in MLS history, anchoring Miami’s star-studded lineup.

‎While the MVP award recognizes regular-season performance, it’s notable that Messi and Miami competed on five fronts that year.

‎The team set an MLS record with 58 games played in a single calendar year.

‎While Vela still holds the regular-season goal contributions record, Messi surpassed his overall record for the regular season and playoffs, totaling 61 compared to Vela’s 52.

‎He was particularly outstanding in the playoffs, scoring six goals and providing seven assists over Miami’s six-game run to the MLS Cup.

‎Messi was named MLS Cup MVP after contributing two assists in the final.

‎This was all a continuation of his dominance down the home stretch of the regular season, scoring 10 goals with nine assists in Miami’s last eight games.

‎The other finalists for the MVP award announced by MLS were LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, San Diego FC’s Anders Dreyer, FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander, and Nashville SC striker Sam Surridge.

‎In another season, any of those candidates might have had a solid case to win the award. But amid Messi’s dominance, the choice was clear.

‎Messi won the award with 70% of the total vote. The vote was divided among media members, MLS players, and MLS club staff.

‎Messi secured 83% of the media vote, 55% of the player vote, and 73% of the club vote.

‎Dreyer finished second, capturing 11% of the total votes.