Lionel Messi has been awarded the 2024 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player after leading Inter Miami to their first-ever Supporters’ Shield as the league’s top team during the regular season. The announcement came on Friday, marking another milestone in Messi’s illustrious career.
In his debut MLS season, following his mid-2023 arrival, Messi delivered an extraordinary performance with 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 matches. Under his captaincy, Inter Miami set a league-record 74-point season. However, their campaign ended in disappointment with a surprising first-round playoff exit.
Lionel Messi expressed mixed emotions during the MVP ceremony:
“I would have liked to receive this award in another situation, being able to play the final (on) Saturday. We had a big dream of being MLS champions this year. It didn’t happen, but next year we’ll come back stronger to try again.”
The 37-year-old Argentine legend, who has already secured eight Ballon d’Or awards and a World Cup victory, is the first player in Inter Miami’s history to receive the league’s top individual honor. The MVP award, renamed in 2015 after MLS icon Landon Donovan, recognizes outstanding contributions to the league.
Lionel Messi joins an elite group, including Mexico’s Carlos Vela (2019) and Italy’s Sebastian Giovinco (2015), as one of only three players in MLS history to achieve at least 20 goals and 15 assists in a single season.
The honor did not come without stiff competition, as Lionel Messi outshone other nominees, including Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernandez, Portland Timbers’ Evander, D.C. United’s Christian Benteke, and his Miami teammate Luis Suarez.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber celebrated Messi’s contribution to the league:
“Leo, congratulations. On behalf of our entire league, all of our country, and everybody that loves the game here and throughout the world, we’re honoured to have you in our league. To have the best player in the world be the best player in Major League Soccer is something that dreams are made of for all of us.”
This recognition further solidifies Messi’s impact on American soccer and his ongoing legacy in global football.