Lionel Messi has been named the 2024 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player following a campaign in which he captained Inter Miami to their first-ever Supporters’ Shield as top club in the regular season, the league said yesterday.
In his first full MLS season after joining Miami in July 2023, Messi had 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 matches while his club set a league record with a 74-point campaign before a stunning first-round elimination from the playoffs.
“I would have liked to receive this award in another situation, being able to play the final on Saturday”, Messi said in comments provided by MLS from MVP ceremony.
“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”.
For Messi, the MVP award is yet another accolade in an illustrious career that includes a World Cup winner’s medal and a record eight Ballon d’Or awards as the world’s best soccer player.
