Lionel Messi Claims Record Second Straight MLS MVP with Inter Miami
Lionel Messi continues to redefine excellence in Major League Soccer after being named the MLS Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year, a historic achievement that further cements his legendary status in global football. The Inter Miami forward became the first player in league history to win the MVP award in back-to-back seasons, following a sensational campaign that guided his team to an MLS Cup title.
The Argentine superstar played a decisive role throughout the season, leading Inter Miami to the top of the league with a combination of goals, assists, leadership, and clutch performances. His influence extended far beyond statistics, transforming the Florida-based club into a dominant force in MLS and delivering its first-ever MLS Cup championship.
At 38 years old, Messi showed no signs of slowing down. He finished the regular season with 29 goals, the fourth-highest total in MLS history, while also providing 19 assists, showcasing his unmatched ability to both score and create. His all-round brilliance earned him the MLS Golden Boot, making him one of the most complete attacking players the league has ever seen.
Reacting to his historic achievement, Messi expressed gratitude and humility, emphasizing the importance of teamwork. He described the honor as special, noting that individual awards are meaningful but are only possible through collective effort. He credited his teammates for their support, acknowledging that their contributions played a vital role in his success during the season.
Messi’s dominance extended beyond the regular campaign. In the MLS playoffs, he elevated his game even further, scoring six goals and delivering nine assists across the knockout stages. His creativity was on full display in the MLS Cup final, where Inter Miami defeated Vancouver 3-1, with Messi providing two crucial assists that sealed the club’s historic triumph. His outstanding performance in the final earned him MLS Cup MVP honors as well.
With this achievement, Messi became only the second player in MLS history to win multiple MVP awards, joining former Kansas City and Chicago star Preki, who won the award in 1997 and 2003. However, Messi surpassed that milestone by becoming the first to do so in consecutive seasons.
The season also saw Messi achieve a rare statistical feat. He became just the second player in MLS history to lead the league in both goals and assists, matching a record previously held by Sebastian Giovinco during his standout campaign with Toronto FC in 2015. Additionally, Messi set a new benchmark by recording 10 multi-goal matches in a single season, breaking the previous record of eight shared by Stern John, Mamadou Diallo, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Messi’s dominance was reflected clearly in the MVP voting results. He emerged as the runaway winner, receiving 70.43 percent of the total vote, far ahead of runner-up Anders Dreyer of San Diego FC. Messi topped all voting categories, claiming over 83 percent of media votes, more than 73 percent of club votes, and 55 percent of player votes, highlighting universal recognition of his impact across the league.
His 2025 MVP follows another impressive season in 2024, when Messi first won the award after collecting 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 matches. Since joining Inter Miami in July 2023, the Argentine has transformed the club’s fortunes. He helped the Herons lift the Leagues Cup in his debut season and guided them to the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield, finishing the regular season with a league-best 74 points.
Earlier this year, Messi committed his future to the club by signing a three-year contract extension in October, ensuring that MLS fans will continue to witness his magic for seasons to come.
Already one of the most decorated footballers in history, Messi’s growing list of honors includes a record eight Ballon d’Or titles, three FIFA Men’s Best Player awards, two World Cup Golden Balls, and the ultimate prize — the FIFA World Cup title with Argentina in 2022.
With his back-to-back MLS MVP awards, Lionel Messi has not only elevated Inter Miami to historic heights but has also reshaped Major League Soccer’s global profile, proving once again that greatness knows no boundaries.
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