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Lionel Messi Named 2025 MLS MVP, First Back-to-Back Winner in League History

The award recognizes a record-setting campaign that carried Inter Miami to its first MLS Cup.

Overview

  • Lionel Messi won 70.43% of the MVP vote from media, players and club officials, ahead of Anders Dreyer, Denis Bouanga, Evander and Sam Surridge.
  • He led the 2025 regular season with 29 goals and 19 assists, claimed the Golden Boot and became only the second player to lead MLS in both goals and assists in one season.
  • He set several records, including 10 multi-goal games in a season and an MLS postseason mark of 15 goal contributions.
  • Three days before the announcement, he logged two assists in Inter Miami’s 3-1 MLS Cup win over Vancouver to secure MLS Cup MVP.
  • Messi joins Preki as the only two-time MLS MVP and remains under contract with Inter Miami through 2028 as the club readies its new stadium for next season.