Lionel Messi has become the first player in Major League Soccer history to win the MVP award in back-to-back seasons.
The Inter Miami superstar played a pivotal role in his team’s 3-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps, registering two assists to help the club secure its first MLS Cup. Messi also claimed the MLS Golden Boot, finishing the 2025 regular season with 29 goals.
Across 28 matches in 2025, the 38-year-old contributed to 48 goals, combining goals and assists—the second-highest total for a single season. Messi recorded at least three goal contributions in nine different matches, setting another MLS record.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also became the first MLS player to achieve 10 multi-goal games in a single season, surpassing the previous record of eight held by Stern John, Mamadou Diallo, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Additionally, Messi scored in five consecutive matches from May 28 to July 12, marking the first time an MLS player recorded a multi-goal streak longer than four games and netting 10 goals during that period.
Messi recently extended his Inter Miami contract through the end of the 2028 season. He has been named in two MLS Best XI selections and won over 70% of the MVP vote, far ahead of runner-up San Diego winger Anders Dreyer, who received just over 11%.
The MLS MVP award, presented since 1996, is voted on by club technical staff, media, and current players.
The Argentine legend adds this accolade to a glittering career that includes the 2022 World Cup, three The Best FIFA Men’s Player awards, two World Cup Golden Balls, three UEFA Men’s Player of the Year awards, six European Golden Shoes, eight Pichichi trophies, and 15 Argentine Footballer of the Year awards.
Messi has yet to confirm whether he will represent Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
