Overview
- MLS announced finalists on Thursday, Nov. 12, naming five nominees for the Landon Donovan MVP including Lionel Messi, Evander, Guilherme, Hany Mukhtar and Philadelphia teen Cavan Sullivan.
- Messi led the regular season with 26 goals and 17 assists to win the 2026 Golden Boot and is positioned to become the first player to claim a third MLS MVP after winning in 2024 and 2025.
- Cavan Sullivan, 17, became the youngest-ever MVP finalist and also is a Young Player of the Year nominee after a breakout regular season that produced nine goals and 14 assists.
- Nashville SC placed more players on shortlists than any club with six finalists, including all three Defender of the Year nominees, goalkeeper Brian Schwake and coach B.J. Callaghan following the club’s 77-point Supporters’ Shield season.
- Voting was completed before the public release and was split evenly among teams’ technical staffs, players and media, with winners to be announced through the MLS playoff calendar while other postseason honors are scheduled separately.