Superstar Lionel Messi has just been honored as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the American 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 record-breaking finishes this season with regularity.

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

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

The MVP award went to Messi, despite the fact that he suffered many injuries throughout the season and only played 19 games. However, at the end of the season, Miami and Messi suddenly suffered a defeat in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

With MVP, superstar Lionel Messi is the tenth South American player and the fifth Argentine after Luciano Acosta, Diego Valeri, Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Christian Gómez to win this award.

Messi shares the MVP award with his family.

During the ceremony at Inter’s Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale alongside players from the Miami Academy, Messi received the award.

“The truth is that it is an honour for me to receive this award from all of you. Seeing you all practise is a source of pride. I am happy to be here every day. I am very happy to be in this city, in this growing club… I invite you to continue fighting and striving for your dreams,” Messi shared with the Academy players.

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

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