Lionel Messi has been crowned Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player for 2024, capping off a remarkable debut season with Inter Miami. Despite battling injuries that limited him to just 19 appearances, the Argentine icon delivered a league-leading 36 goal contributions, scoring 20 goals and providing 16 assists.
Messi’s brilliance led Miami to a record regular season, and the club won its first-ever Supporters’ Shield on the back of a franchise-best points total. His ability to elevate the team’s performance and orchestrate their attack was unparalleled, further solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest players in football history.
The 37-year-old becomes the 10th South American and fifth Argentine to win the MVP award, a list filled with illustrious names like Luciano Acosta, Diego Valeri, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, and Christian Gomez.
But the season of Miami ended on a sad note as they suffered a shocking first-round exit in the MLS Cup playoffs. Despite the abrupt conclusion, Messi’s impact on the league and Miami’s success cannot be overstated.
The award just adds another feather to the already glittering career of Messi, who has made a successful transition to American soccer, reinforcing his status as a transformational force in any league in which he plays.