Messi MLS MVP: Historic Back-to-Back Win

America is too small for the ‘God of Soccer’. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) was selected as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for two consecutive years in the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) for the first time in history.

MLS announced on its website on the 10th, “Messi was selected as the ‘2025 Landon Donovan MLS MVP.’ He is the first player in MLS history to win two consecutive MVP awards.” In addition, Messi was named the second player in history to win MLS MVP twice, following Freki (1997, 2003).

Named after legendary striker Landon Donovan, who played 157 international games for the U.S. national team and scored 57 goals, the MLS MVP has been awarded since 1996, and the winner is selected through voting among players, club technical staff, and media.

Messi received 70.43% of the votes in the MLS MVP vote, beating fellow nominees Anders Dreyer (San Diego, 11.15%), Denis Buanga (LAFC, 7.27%), Evander (Cincinnati, 4.78%), and Sam Surridge (Nashville, 2.42%) by a wide margin.

Messi’s 2025 season was incredible. Messi, who recorded 48 attack points with 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 regular league games and was the top scorer, recorded 15 attack points (6 goals, 9 assists) in the MLS Cup Playoffs, and also won the MLS Cup MVP by contributing 2 assists in the MLS Cup, the championship match, on the 7th. And by winning the MLS MVP, he once again revealed to the world the majesty of the ‘God of Soccer’.

English Premier League (EPL)

Reporter Eun-yong Yoon plaimstone@kyunghyang.com