On Tuesday, the GOAT Lionel Messi was awarded the ‘Most Valuable Player’ of the Major League Soccer (MLS) for the second time in a row, after playing a key role in Inter Miami’s MLS title win and finishing as the top scorer in the league. Messi was the first player ever to be awarded the MVP honour in two consecutive years and only the second player in the history of the league to take two MVP awards after Preki in 1997 and 2003.
The 38-year-old striker, who was instrumental for Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, netted 29 times during the regular season and assisted 19 to claim the MLS Golden Boot.
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Messi shines in playoffs as Miami lifted MLS Cup
Messi extended his contract with Miami for three years, and became the second player ever to top the league in both regular-season goals and assists, thus joining Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco of 2015. He also scored six times and provided nine assists during this season’s MLS playoffs, the final of which saw Inter Miami defeating Vancouver by 3-1 to win the team’s first ever MLS Cup. Argentina star made two crucial assists in the victory and was consequently named the MLS Cup MVP.
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Messi’s iconic achievements
The South American legend’s trophy collection keeps getting bigger which consists of a record of eight Ballon d’Or titles, three FIFA Men’s Best Player awards and two FIFA World Cup Golden Balls. Messi’s other accolades include three UEFA Men’s Player of the Year awards, six European Golden Shoes, six La Liga Best Player awards and being Argentina’s Footballer of the Year for 15 times.
