Lionel Messi has secured his second consecutive MLS Most Valuable Player award, cementing a historic individual campaign. The Inter Miami superstar powered his team to the 2025 MLS Cup championship while also claiming the league’s Golden Boot.
Messi becomes the first player ever to win back-to-back MLS MVP awards. He joins only Preki (1997, 2003) as a two-time winner of the league’s highest individual honor.
The 38-year-old Argentine forward delivered astonishing numbers. He scored 29 regular-season goals, the fourth-highest tally in any MLS campaign. He also provided 19 assists, claiming the MLS Golden Boot.
This made Messi only the second player in league history (after Sebastian Giovinco in 2015) to lead MLS in both goals and assists during a regular season. He extended his dominance into the playoffs, scoring six goals and creating nine assists.
🚨 BREAKING:
Lionel Messi is the 2025 MLS MVP of the Season. The first ever to Win it Back to Back.🐐pic.twitter.com/2VCHPflwqz
— MessiXtra (@MessiXtraHQ) December 9, 2025His performance culminated in the MLS Cup Final, where his two key assists secured a 3-1 win over Vancouver. Messi also earned MLS Cup MVP honors for his decisive role in delivering Inter Miami’s first championship.
The MVP victory was a landslide. Messi secured 70.43% of the total vote, far ahead of runner-up Anders Dreyer (11.15%). He won 83.05% of media votes, 73.08% of club votes, and 55.17% of player votes.
He also set a new MLS record with 10 multi-goal games in a single season, surpassing the previous mark of eight. This latest honor joins an unparalleled career haul that includes eight Ballon d’Or trophies and a 2022 FIFA World Cup win with Argentina.
Read: Lionel Messi Hopes to Play in 2026 World Cup
Since joining Inter Miami in July 2023, Messi has transformed the franchise. He helped the club win the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield with a league-best 74 points. His recent three-year contract extension signals his commitment to building a lasting legacy in North American soccer. This MVP award underscores his unmatched impact on the league’s competitive landscape and global profile.
