Argentina forward Lionel Messi has been named Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), Afrosport reports.
Messi was integral in leading Inter Miami to a record-breaking campaign in the MLS, where they finished with a record regular season points tally.
The 37-year-old led the MLS with his 36 goal contributions, finishing with 20 goals and 16 assists as Inter Miami claimed their first-ever Supporters Shield.
Messi wins the MVP award, named after former United States international Landon Donovan, despite only playing 19 regular season matches after an injury-laden year.
Introducing the 2024 Landon Donovan @MLS Most Valuable Player – Leo Messi 🏆 Inspirando a la @InterMiamiAcad dentro y fuera de la cancha ✨ pic.twitter.com/UQGnCb41Ht
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) December 6, 2024
The MLS MVP is decided by players, club technical staff, and journalists, and Messi received 38.43% of the votes, beating Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernandez, who got 33.7%.
The Argentina international, however, was unable to lead the Herons to postseason success as they were knocked out of the MLS Cup playoffs in the first round by Atlanta United.
Messi is the 10th South American to win the MVP and the fifth Argentinian after Luciano Acosta, Diego Valeri, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, and Christian Gomez.
