Lionel Messi has voiced his joy at being with Inter Miami after winning the 2024 MLS MVP (Most Valuable Player) award, narrowly beating Cucho Hernandez to the accolade despite staff from clubs across the division giving their vote to the Columbus Crew striker.
Players, club technical staff and media decide the annual award for the top flight in the US, with Messi winning more than 38% of the overall vote to eclipse Hernandez by almost 5%.
In a clip shared by Miami showing academy players lining up on the pitch at the club’s Chase Stadium to form the letters MVP, Messi told the group it was “truly an honour” to receive the award.
“I’m so happy to be here every day, in this city, at this club that is growing and evolving,” the 2022 Fifa World Cup winner with Argentina told them.
Introducing the 2024 Landon Donovan @MLS Most Valuable Player – Leo Messi 🏆 Inspirando a la @InterMiamiAcad dentro y fuera de la cancha ✨ pic.twitter.com/UQGnCb41Ht
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) December 6, 2024
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Messi awards: MLS MVP 2024
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi was comfortably the most popular choice among players and media but trailed Hernandez by almost 6% among backroom members at teams.
The award is named after legendary US national team forward Landon Donovan, who won a record six editions of the MLS Cup and holds the all-time record for MLS assists from his time in the league between 2001 and 2016.
Messi succeeds another Argentine in Luciano Acosta, although the Cincinnati midfielder has the most assists and key passes in the MLS this season.
2021 and 2024 Copa America winner Messi has now been named the best player in the league he has played in 10 times, having won the La Liga equivalent nine times between 2008/09 and 2018/19.
Teammate and fellow forward Kylian Mbappe – now at Real Madrid – was Ligue 1 Player of the Year in both of Messi’s seasons with Paris Saint-Germain before the veteran left in June 2023, joining Miami the following month.
Our MVP by our @InterMiamiAcad 💫 This is the #FreedomToDream pic.twitter.com/EpGWNVfeKj
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) December 6, 2024
Lionel Messi stats: Miami top scorer
In a campaign interrupted by injuries and the 2024 Copa America, Argentina skipper Messi made the most goal contributions by scoring 20 times and setting up 16 goals across 19 appearances.
The 37-year-old, who was in his first full season with the club, averaged an MLS-record 2.18 goal contributions per 90 minutes to help Miami win their first Supporters’ Shield with an MLS single-season record 74 points.
He won Miami’s MVP honour for the second time and had already been named in the MLS team of the season, although his side fell at the first hurdle in the play-offs courtesy of a 3-2 home defeat against Atlanta United, who finished 34 points and eight positions below them in the regular campaign.
The points gap between Miami and Atlanta was the largest ever between teams facing each other in the play-offs. The Five Stripes lost the first game at Inter in the best-of-three contest and came from behind to prevail in the second at home, scoring a 94th-minute winner.
Argentine Gerardo Martino, who managed Barcelona between 2013 and 2014, paid the price by losing his job as Miami boss. Javier Mascherano – a teammate of Messi for Barcelona and Argentina – has since taken over.
Una postal que vale más que mil palabras 🇦🇷🔟✨ pic.twitter.com/fssILovCNY
— Inter Miami CF Academy (@InterMiamiAcad) November 30, 2024
Lionel Messi contract, salary
Messi remains the most high-profile player in the world alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and has a contract with Miami that runs until the end of 2025 with an option for an extra year.
Speaking to Marca after Messi’s arrival was first announced, Miami co-owner Jorge Mas said the four-time Champions League winner would earn up to $60 million a year.
Messi’s purported playing salary of up to $20.4m is considerably more than any other player in the US and is heftily increased by holding equity in the club and payments from league broadcasters Apple.
Miami’s play-offs exit was a blow for the MLS and Apple, with Messi by far their most marketable star and viewing figures boosted hugely when the World Cup winner plays.
Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls meet in the final on Saturday (4pm ET) for the right to lift the MLS Cup. DC United striker Christian Benteke will finish as the league top scorer with 23 goals.
