Lionel Messi has added another milestone to his storied career, becoming the first player in Major League Soccer history to win back-to-back Most Valuable Player awards. The Inter Miami star earned the honor after a standout regular season, finishing with a league-leading 29 goals and 19 assists—numbers that left little doubt about his status as MLS’s top performer, according to NBC Miami.
At 38 years old, the captain of the MLS Cup champions isn't showing any signs of slowing down with Inter Miami’s value skyrocketing since his arrival and Messi himself committing to a three-year extension ensuring he'll be gracing the new stadium near Miami International Airport next season, something that has MLS Commissioner Don Garber and fans alike buzzing about his impact on the sport in North America, with Garber calling Messi "the greatest of all time" with a "special sauce" for winning games in an interview obtained by NBC Miami.
In a distinctive moment, Messi accepted his MVP trophy during his own Messi Cup youth tournament, highlighting his commitment to developing young talent. MLS Commissioner Don Garber also used the occasion to commend Messi not only for his exceptional play but for his character, "He's just a special man," as per an interview by CBS News.
Messi’s long list of individual awards—including eight Ballon d’Or wins and two FIFA World Cup Golden Balls—cements him as one of the most accomplished players in men’s soccer. Inter Miami coach and former teammate Javier Mascherano underscored that dominance, saying “Leo clears all doubts,” a remark captured by NBC Miami that reflects the Argentine star’s enduring impact on the field.
Adding to a career festooned with almost every conceivable honor, Messi’s dual MVP accolade draws parallels with some of the most recent consecutive MVP winners across other major U.S. pro sports leagues, showcasing the rarity and impressiveness of repeat successes in the highly competitive world of sports, with major names like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and A'ja Wilson achieving similar feats in their respective arenas, according to information presented by both NBC Miami and CBS News.
