Lionel Messi has been crowned the 2024 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player (MVP) following a sensational debut season with Inter Miami. The Argentine superstar, a record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, secured his first MLS MVP honor after a historic campaign.
Joining Inter Miami in July 2023, Messi delivered an exceptional performance in the regular season, netting 20 goals and tallying 16 assists across just 20 matches. His 36-goal involvements rank as the fifth-highest in MLS history. Messi’s impact was transformative—Inter Miami suffered only one defeat in the 18 games he played, achieving 12 victories and six draws, and setting a franchise record with 74 points in the regular season.
“Truly, it is an honor for me to receive this award from all of you,” Messi said after the announcement was made. “It’s a source of pride to watch you all train. I’m very happy to be here every day. I’m very happy to be in this city, in this Club that is growing. It’s a pleasure to see you grow day by day. I invite you to keep fighting and striving for your dreams.”
Lionel Messi has been named the 2024 MLS MVP 🏆 pic.twitter.com/8mmjL8Q6QJ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 6, 2024
Since its inception in 1996, the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award has been determined through a poll involving players, club staff, and media representatives. Messi claimed the honor with 38.43% of the vote, edging out Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernández, who secured 33.70%. Messi’s regular-season performance was unprecedented, averaging a record-breaking 2.18 goal contributions per 90 minutes in MLS.
Despite their dominance during the regular season, Inter Miami’s playoff journey came to an early end with a 2-1 defeat to Atlanta United in the first round, marking the conclusion of their postseason hopes. Messi will return to MLS for the 2024 season alongside former FC Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suárez. Meanwhile, Javier Mascherano, another Barcelona icon, will assume the role of Inter Miami’s head coach following Tata Martino’s departure.
The Herons will also take part in the newly revamped format of the FIFA Club World Cup where they have been drawn alongside Palmeiras, FC Porto, and Al Ahly. Messi’s Inter Miami is set to face Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly in the tournament’s opening match, scheduled at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
