Lionel Messi Named MLS Most Valuable Player for 2024
Lionel Messi has been awarded the 2024 MLS Landon Donovan Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, marking a significant achievement in his career at Inter Miami. The announcement was made on December 6, 2024, recognizing Messi's outstanding performance throughout the season, where he contributed to a record-breaking total of 74 points for his team. This achievement not only secured Inter Miami's first Supporters' Shield title but also established a new MLS single-season points record.
Messi's statistics for the season are impressive; he scored 20 goals and provided 16 assists in just 19 matches, averaging 2.1 goal contributions per 90 minutes played. This performance places him among the elite in MLS history, as he is only the third player to achieve at least 20 goals and 15 assists in a single season, joining the ranks of Carlos Vela and Sebastian Giovinco. Despite these accolades, Inter Miami faced an unexpected early exit in the playoffs, losing to Atlanta United in the first round.
Messi's Impact and Future Challenges
The Argentine superstar's influence on the league has been profound since his arrival in 2023, transforming Inter Miami from a struggling team to a formidable contender. Under his leadership, the team lost only one regular-season game with him as a starter and became the first in league history to achieve 22 wins in a season, with an equal number of home and away victories.
Messi's recognition as MVP comes after he received 40.8% of the votes from MLS players, surpassing other notable players like Juan Camilo Cucho Hernandez and Evander. This marks the second consecutive year an Argentine has won the MVP award, following Luciano Acosta's win in 2023. Messi's accolades in 2024 also include multiple Player of the Week and Player of the Month honors.
Looking ahead, Messi and Inter Miami will face new challenges as they prepare for the 2025 Club World Cup, where they will open the tournament against Al Ahly of Egypt. The tournament is set to take place from June 15 to July 13, 2025, featuring 32 teams from around the world, including heavyweights like Manchester City and Real Madrid. The upcoming season will also see Javier Mascherano take over as head coach, further solidifying Messi's role in shaping the future of Inter Miami.
