Superstar Lionel Messi has just been named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of Major League Soccer (MLS).

Lionel Messi scored 20 goals and 16 assists in the 2024 season. Photo: AFP

The Argentine striker led Inter Miami to a record-breaking season.

Superstar Lionel Messi was awarded the MVP award after his performances helped Miami set a regular season points record, earning the club its first Supporters Shield title.

The 37-year-old finished the season with a league-leading 36 goals, with superstar Lionel Messi scoring 20 and providing 16 assists.

The Most Valuable Player award went to Messi despite suffering multiple injuries throughout the season and making just 19 appearances. However, at the end of the season, Miami and Messi surprisingly lost in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

With the MVP, superstar Lionel Messi is the 10th South American player, and the 5th Argentine player after Luciano Acosta, Diego Valeri, Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Christian Gomez to win this award.

Messi shares MVP award with family.

In a ceremony at Inter’s Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale alongside players from the Miami Academy, Messi was presented with the award.

“It is truly an honor for me to receive this award from all of you. Watching you all train is a source of pride. I am happy to be here every day. I am happy to be in this city, in this growing club… I invite you to continue fighting and striving for your dreams,” Messi told the Academy players.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber said Messi has brought an unprecedented breath of fresh air to the soccer tournament, which will end in the early morning of December 8 (Vietnam time) with the MLS Cup final between LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls in Los Angeles.

“Having the best player in the world become the best player in Major League Soccer is something we all dream about,” Garber said.