Lionel Messi, a pivotal player for Inter Miami, is making waves in Major League Soccer like never before. As the captain of the reigning MLS Cup champions, the 38-year-old Argentine has solidified his status as a remarkable force in the league.
Recently, he was honored as the league’s MVP for the second consecutive year, making history as the first player to achieve this feat. This recognition came as no surprise, given his impressive record of 29 goals and 19 assists during the regular season.
Messi joins an exclusive group as only the second player to win the MVP award twice, alongside Pleki, who won it in both 1997 and 2003. Most previous winners have only claimed the title once.
“He’s demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the season, both in statistics and commitment,” noted Inter Miami’s coach Javier Mascherano, who has been a long-time teammate of Messi.
Although Messi played in only half of Inter Miami’s regular season matches in 2024, questions arose regarding his MVP worthiness. However, there was no doubt this year; he secured 70.4% of the total votes, the highest percentage since Sebastian Giovinco in 2015.
His closest competitor, San Diego’s Anders Dreyer, received just 11.2% of the votes, followed by others with lesser shares. “He’s an extraordinary talent,” remarked MLS Commissioner Don Garber about Messi’s unique approach to the game and steadfast commitment to winning.
Messi’s accolades continue to grow, adding to his extensive list of achievements that includes eight Ballon d’Or awards, several top scorer titles, and significant contributions to both club and international victories, making him the most decorated player in men’s football history.
As Mascherano put it, “Leo has dispelled all doubts.” Messi is now one of just six players in MLS history to win both the MVP and championship in the same season. Of these six, only one has achieved the Golden Boot along with these accolades in a single year, resembling Messi’s hat trick in 2025.
His commitment to Inter Miami is unwavering, having signed a three-year extension, which means he will remain as the franchise prepares to open a new stadium next season, which is a milestone for the club that has seen its value rise significantly since his arrival.
Garber noted, “When Messi chose MLS, it transformed not only Inter Miami but the entire North American sports landscape,” highlighting the significance of his presence in the league.
The remarkable occurrence of back-to-back MVPs has been seen previously in other U.S. sports leagues, adding to the conversation about the elevation of talent and competition in MLS.
Historically, players from various sports—including Shohei Ohtani in MLB and Nikola Jokic in the NBA—have achieved consecutive MVP awards, but Messi now sets a new precedent in MLS.
But it’s unprecedented for MLS until now.
Reported by the Associated Press.
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Fan Take: Messi’s back-to-back MVP wins underscore his transformative impact on MLS and elevate the league’s status in the global soccer landscape. His continued presence not only excites fans but also signals a bright future for the sport in North America.
