Overview
- MLS announced Tuesday that Lionel Messi won the 2025 Landon Donovan MVP, the first consecutive winner in league history and only the second two-time recipient alongside Preki.
- The award, decided by players, club technical staff, and media, saw Messi top the ballot ahead of San Diego FC’s Anders Dreyer (11.15%) and LAFC’s Denis Bouanga (7.27%).
- Messi led the regular season with 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 matches, securing the Golden Boot and setting multiple single-season marks.
- He powered Inter Miami to its first MLS Cup with a 3-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps, delivering two assists in the final and finishing the year with 35 goals and 28 assists across all matches.
- Messi received the MVP trophy in Miami during a ceremony that also launched his U-16 “Messi Cup,” a youth tournament featuring elite clubs invited to Fort Lauderdale.