Inter Miami star Lionel Messi was named on the list of finalists for the 2024 Major League Soccer MVP award, a recognition of his contribution to the team, which is the second nomination since he entered the league in July 2023.
The Argentine football legend joined his Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez on the list of finalists for the award alongside Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernández, Portland Timbers’ Evander, and DC United’s Christian Benteke, ESPN reported. Records show that each of the players met the new qualifying regulations of at least 1,000 minutes played in the regular season campaign.
The 36-year-old former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germany-PSG star failed to win the award last season, but he is being considered the leading candidate for the award this year after he contributed a record 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 games.
Despite concerns about his level of involvement during the entire 34-match campaign in which he featured in 55% of the games, teammate Jordi Alba insisted that Messi must win MVP.
“In the case of Leo, I said it and always say it, every time you ask me, I think that he deserves all the awards they can give him. I believe he is the best player in the world. He has a lot of intensity up to now compared to the rest and until he decides to retire from active football, he maintained on Friday.
I’m sure he’ll win the MVP, and if he doesn’t win it, well, it’s no longer anyone’s decision; the people vote, but hey, for me he’s the best.
And this year, Messi’s team reached the Supporters’ Shield of MLS, setting a record for the league with the most points any team has ever scored in one season.
Next to him is Suarez, a former Barcelona team-mate, who scored 20 goals and provided nine assists in 27 games in his maiden MLS season after joining in December 2023. His impressive debut has also made the 37-year-old Uruguayan footballer a finalist for Newcomer of the Year.
The dynamic duo has combined for 40 of the team’s 79 goals so far this season. To top it all off, finalists for MLS Newcomer of the Year include FC Cincinnati’s Luca Orellano, LA Galaxy’s Gabriel Pec and Inter Miami’s Suárez. Meanwhile, Inter Miami’s Alba, Columbus Crew’s Steven Moreira, and Seattle Sounders’ Jackson Ragen were announced as finalists for Defender of the Year.
