Speculation is rife about whether Lionel Messi will snag the Major League Soccer (MLS) MVP Award following his exhilarating finish to the 2024 season. The Inter Miami superstar capped off the regular season in style, achieving an unprecedented wave of excitement as his team broke the single-season points record.
On Decision Day, Messi made headlines with a stunning performance, scoring three goals within just 11 minutes of coming off the bench, leading Inter Miami to a resounding 6-2 victory over the New England Revolution. This powerful showing contributed to Miami’s stellar final points tally of 74, easily surpassing previous records.
Messi's impressive season stats are hard to ignore. He boasts 20 goals and 16 assists across 19 MLS appearances, with just 15 of those being starts. His influence on the field, combined with some fitness setbacks throughout the season, has fueled the debate around his candidacy for the league's top individual honor.
Despite strong numbers, Messi narrowly missed out on this year’s Golden Boot title, which went to Christian Benteke, who formerly graced the fields of Liverpool. Yet, beyond the raw numbers, Messi's transformative impact on Inter Miami—and soccer in the U.S.—is undeniable. His major influence since his arrival could sway voters heavily when they cast their ballots for the prestigious Landon Donovan MVP Award.
Competing with Messi for the MVP title are noteworthy talents like Cucho Hernandez from Columbus Crew and reigning MVP Luciano Acosta, who once again showcased exceptional skills with FC Cincinnati. Benteke, alongside Barcelona prodigy Riqui Puig of LA Galaxy, finds himself also vying for recognition on the 34-player shortlist.
The MVP voting process initiated by Major League Soccer opened its doors for nominations on September 24, concluding on October 1. During this period, players, technical staff, and media members could nominate from the short list of candidates. The official voting spanned October 7 to 21, leaving some wondering if Messi's commanding performance came too late to impact the votes, as ballots were likely finalized before his stunning hat-trick.
To be eligible for the MVP, players must meet at least 1,000 minutes logged on the field throughout the season. Messi barely edges past this mark, amassing 1,486 minutes of play across his appearances, including absences due to injury and international duty.
While Messi's numbers alone establish him as a strong contender, his legacy as one of football's all-time greats and his newfound prominence within the U.S. soccer narrative could carry significant weight among voters. Would they overlook other candidates and give the nod to Messi, reflecting both his remarkable legacy and the instant impact he has made?
Messi’s former Barcelona partner, Luis Suarez, who joined him at Inter Miami, has also made his mark, netting two goals and two assists against New England, boasting 29 goal involvements throughout the regular season.
With the voting deadline closing soon, the anticipation around Messi's potential victory continues to build. The collective narrative surrounding his accomplishments may very well seal his fate as this year's MVP, as fans and analysts alike look forward to the official announcement on October 21.
