Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (C) celebrates with teammates Rodrigo De Paul (R) and Tadeo Allende after a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 2025 MLS Cup Final on Saturday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Photo by Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA
Lionel Messi set yet another record in a soccer career already jammed with groundbreaking achievements, becoming the first repeat MLS MVP winner.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner received the award for his 2025 exploits at a ceremony Tuesday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., three days after he led the Herons to their first MLS Cup.
“We’ve had a lot of world-class players in our league, but there is only one Leo Messi,” MLS commissioner Don Garber told reporters.
Messi, 38, led MLS with 29 goals and 19 assists over 28 matches. His 48 contributions during the regular season were the second most in league history, trailing only Carlos Vela’s 49 from 2019. Messi also registered at least three goal contributions in nine consecutive matches and recorded 10 multi-goal games.
The Argentine forward won 70.4% of the vote to win his second Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award. Anders Dreyer of San Diego FC finished second, ahead of LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, FC Cincinnati’s Evander and Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge.
Messi is the second player in MLS history to win multiple MVPs, joining Kansas City Wizards legend Preki, who won in 1997 and 2003.
The longtime former Barcelona star provided two assists in the Herons’ 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 2025 MLS Cup finale Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, en route to MLS Cup MVP honors.
He set an MLS playoff record with 15 goal contributions — from six goals and nine assists. Messi is under contract through 2028 with the Herons, who plan to open a new stadium next year.
Most successful Latin American soccer players of all time
Pelé, BrazilBrazilian footballer Pelé attends a book signing for “Pelé: The Autobiography” at Waterstone’s on Oxford Street in London on May 21, 2006. He won a record three World Cups with Brazil (1958, 1962 and 1970) and scored more than 1,000 career goals, becoming one of the most influential athletes of the 20th century. Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
