Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has been named the 2025 Landon Donovan MLS MVP. League commissioner Don Garber announced the award on Tuesday, celebrating Messi’s historic achievement.
Messi led Inter Miami CF to their first MLS Cup victory, showcasing extraordinary individual performances. He scored 29 goals and provided 19 assists in 28 appearances, nearly breaking Carlos Vela’s record. Unlike Vela, Messi achieved this in fewer games, demonstrating exceptional consistency and skill.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner joins Preki as only the second player to win MVP twice. Remarkably, Messi is the first player to claim the award in consecutive seasons. At 38, he is not the oldest MLS MVP; Preki won at 40 in 2003. Messi delivered the best attacking season in MLS history, leading Miami’s star-studded lineup.
He played across five competitions, setting a league record with 58 games in a year. Including playoffs, Messi totaled 61 goal contributions, surpassing Vela’s 52 and establishing a new benchmark. He shined in the playoffs, scoring six goals and seven assists in six matches.
Messi earned MLS Cup Final MVP with two assists in the championship game. Other finalists included LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and San Diego FC’s Anders Dreyer.Messi won 70% of total votes, dominating media, player, and club ballots. His historic season cements Messi’s legacy as one of MLS’s greatest players ever.
