STORY: :: MLS
:: Lionel Messi has been named Major League Soccer's
most valuable player for the 2024 season
:: Released December 6, 2024
:: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
:: Don Garber, MLS Commissioner
"Leo, felicidades. On behalf of our entire league, all of our country and everybody that loves the game here and throughout the world, we're honored to have you in our league. To have the best player in the world, be the best player in Major League Soccer is something that dreams are made of."
:: Lionel Messi, 2024 Landon Donovan MLS MVP winner
"I would have liked to receive this award in another situation, to be able to play in the final next Saturday. But that's part of soccer too, to get better day by day. 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. And that's especially important for all of you who are young. You have to fight for your dreams, go for it and fight for what you want because all the sacrifices you make are worth it."
:: MLS
:: Messi is the first player in Inter Miami history
to earn the MLS's highest individual honor
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.
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.
Messi beat out Columbus Crew forward Cucho Hernandez, Portland Timbers midfielder Evander, D.C. United's Christian Benteke and Miami teammate Luis Suarez to take home the award.
