Lionel Messi was named the MLS Most Valuable Player in 2024 after a campaign in which he led Inter Miami to its first Supporters’ Shield as the top team in the regular season, the league said Friday.
In his first full season in MLS after joining Miami in July 2023, Messi had 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 games, while his club set a league record with a 74-point campaign before a surprising elimination in the first round of the playoffs.
“I would have liked to receive this award in another situation, being able to play in the final (on) Saturday,” Messi said in statements provided by the MLS. “We had the big dream of being MLS champions this year. It didn’t happen, but next year we will come back stronger to try again.”
For Messi, the MVP award is one more award in an illustrious career that includes a world champion medal and the record eight Ballon d’Ors as the best footballer in the world.
The Argentine, 37 years old, is the first player in the history of Inter Miami to obtain the highest individual award in the MLS.
The Miami captain also joined Mexican Carlos Vela in 2019 (LAFC, 34 goals, 15 assists) and Italian Sebastian Giovinco in 2015 (Toronto FC, 22 goals, 16 assists) as the only players in MLS history with at least 20 goals and 15 assists in a season.
“Leo, congratulations. “On behalf of our entire league, our entire country and everyone who loves soccer here and around the world, we are honored to have you in our league,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
“For the best player in the world to be the best player in Major League Soccer is something we all dream of.”
With information from Reuters.
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