Lionel Messi has been honored with the Landon Donovan MVP Award for the 2024 MLS season after an outstanding performance with Inter Miami. On Friday, Messi claimed the award over notable contenders including Cucho Hernández from the Columbus Crew, Evander of the Portland Timbers, D.C. United’s Christian Benteke, and his own teammate, Luis Suárez.
At 37 years old, Messi stood out with an impressive tally of 20 goals in just 19 matches, showcasing his extraordinary talent. He joins the ranks of Carlos Vela (LAFC, 2019) and Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC, 2015) as the only players in MLS history to achieve at least 20 goals and 15 assists in a single season.
The MVP voting involved players, club technical staff, and selected media members, with Messi receiving 38.43% of the votes, outpacing Benteke, who garnered 33.70%.
This season marked Messi’s first full year with Inter Miami after joining the club in July 2023. He received the award in a touching moment involving his sons and youth academy students, where he expressed his pride and happiness to be part of the club’s growth and encouraged the young players to pursue their dreams.
Despite only participating in 55% of competitive matches during the 34-game regular season due to an ankle injury sustained during the Copa América final, Messi’s impact remained substantial. The Herons excelled in his absence, winning eight out of nine matches.
With an average of over one goal every 90 minutes, Messi led the league’s scoring, and his contributions resulted in a remarkable 2.18 goal contributions per match, establishing a new league record. He has now added the MLS MVP trophy to his already extensive list of accolades, which includes eight Ballon d’Or awards, eight FIFA player of the year awards, and many others.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber highlighted Messi’s global appeal, likening his stardom to that of legendary entertainers Michael Jackson and Taylor Swift, reflecting the excitement his presence brings to the league.
Under Messi’s leadership, Inter Miami achieved success by winning the Supporters’ Shield and setting a single-season points record of 74. However, their playoff journey ended disappointingly when they were eliminated in the first round by Atlanta United.
Following the season’s conclusion, head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino resigned for personal reasons and was succeeded by Javier Mascherano, a former teammate of Messi at Barcelona and the Argentina national team.
Looking ahead, hope remains strong for fans of Inter Miami, as they anticipate future seasons with continued efforts to build on their successes and embrace the challenges that come with competing at higher levels.
In summary, Messi’s remarkable season has not only solidified his status as one of the game’s greatest but has also invigorated Inter Miami’s ambitions in the MLS.