Lionel Messi has won hissecond straightMLS MVP award, the league announced on Tuesday, making him the first player to ever win the honor in consecutive seasons.
The Inter Miami star beat out LAFC's Denis Bouanga, San Diego FC's Anders Dreyer, FC Cincinnati's Evander, and Nashville SC's Sam Surridge for the honor. Messi earned 70.43% of the aggregate vote, which broke down to 83.05% from MLS players, 55.17% from players and 73.08% from the clubs
In 28 regular-season games, Messi recorded 29 goals and 19 assists. His 48 goal contributions were one fewer than the MLS record of 49 set by LAFC great Carlos Vela in 2019.
Messi's 29 goals secured him his first Golden Boot award as the league's top goal scorer.
In his third year in MLS and second full season in the league, Messi recorded 10 multi-goal games for Inter Miami, including a hat trick in theregular-season finaleagainst Nashville. Through his two-and-a-half seasons, Messihas scored 50 timessince arriving in the league.
FollowingInter Miami's win in Saturday's MLS Cup finalagainst the Vancouver Whitecaps, the 38-year-old Messi has led the club to three titles, including the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield.
The global soccer superstar will also be staying in South Florida for at leastthree more seasons after he signed an extensionin October.
