- Lionel Messi named MLS Most Valuable Player.
- Messi led Inter Miami to a record-breaking regular season, setting a new record for regular-season points.
- Messi is the 10th South American to win the MVP award.
The 37-year-old forward finished the regular season with 36 goal contributions, scoring 20 goals and providing 16 assists, the most in the league. However, despite his individual success, Miami's season ended disappointingly with a shocking first-round defeat in the MLS Cup playoffs.
Messi's achievement marks him as the 10th South American to win the MVP award, and the fifth from Argentina, joining the ranks of Luciano Acosta, Diego Valeri, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, and Christian Gomez.
In a ceremony at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Messi received the MVP award alongside Miami Academy players. He expressed his pride, saying, "Truly, it is an honor for me to receive this award from all of you. It’s a source of pride to watch you all train. I’m very happy to be here every day."
MLS Commissioner Don Garber praised Messi for bringing unparalleled football stardom to the league, stating, "To have the best player in the world be the best player in Major League Soccer is something that dreams are made of for all of us." The MLS season will conclude with the MLS Cup final between LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls in Los Angeles on Saturday.
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