Lionel Messi’s remarkable 2024 season with Inter Miami culminated in yet another prestigious honor: the 2024 MLS MVP award. This recognition underscores his unparalleled influence on the pitch and his transformative impact on Major League Soccer.

Highlights of Messi’s 2024 MLS Season

• Statistics: Despite missing two months due to injury, Messi finished the season with:
  • 20 goals and 16 assists.
  • A league-record 36 goal contributions.
  • 2.18 goal contributions per 90 minutes, the best in MLS history.
• Team Achievements:
  • Helped Inter Miami secure the Supporters’ Shield with an MLS-record 74 points.
  • Formed a record-breaking duo with Luis Suárez, becoming the first pair of MLS teammates to each score 20+ goals in a season.

Record-Breaking Performances

• Hat Trick Hero: Scored his first MLS hat trick in just 11 minutes against New England Revolution on October 19.
• Single-Match Records: Set records for five assists and six goal contributions in a May 4 win over the New York Red Bulls.

Legacy in MLS and Beyond

Messi’s impact extended far beyond the pitch:

• Fan Engagement: Helped draw a record 12.1 million fans to MLS games, the second-highest attendance for any soccer league globally.
• Merchandising: Boasts the top-selling jersey in MLS and globally for adidas.
• Social Media Growth: Propelled MLS to the fastest-growing social media following among American sports leagues.

Recognition and Rivalry

Messi edged out Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernández, Portland Timbers’ Evander, D.C. United’s Christian Benteke, and teammate Luis Suárez in MVP voting, securing 38.43% of the votes.

Looking Ahead

Messi expressed his desire for even greater achievements with Inter Miami:

“We had a big dream of being MLS champions this year. It didn’t happen. But next year, we’ll come back stronger and try again.”

This MVP honor cements Messi’s status as a trailblazer for MLS, further elevating the league’s global profile while setting a new standard for excellence.