Lionel Messi makes history with back-to-back MLS MVP awards

Lionel Messi has rewritten Major League Soccer’s record books once again, becoming the first player in league history to win consecutive Landon Donovan MLS MVP awards.

The Inter Miami superstar delivered a landmark 2025 campaign, posting numbers unmatched by nearly every player who has competed in the league.

Messi finished the regular season with 48 goal contributions, 29 goals and 19 assists, the second-highest total ever recorded, while leading Inter Miami to a third-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

Unprecedented output fuels historic MVP run

Messi’s year was defined by sustained dominance. He averaged 1.78 goal involvements per 90 minutes, trailing only his own record from the 2024 season.

He also became only the second player to lead MLS in both goals and assists in a single campaign, matching Sebastian Giovinco’s 2015 achievement.

The Argentine shattered multiple league benchmarks along the way. He became the first MLS player to record 10 multi-goal matches in a single season and produced three or more goal contributions in nine games.

His streak of scoring multiple goals across five straight fixtures from May to July is now the longest such run in MLS history.

Trophy haul points to complete dominance

Messi’s accolades prove the scope of his impact. Beyond his second straight MVP crown, he secured the MLS Golden Boot, was named MLS Cup MVP after orchestrating Inter Miami’s title win with two assists, and earned a suite of monthly and matchday honors.

Across his MLS tenure, Messi now holds:

2 MVP awards

1 MLS Cup MVP

2 Best XI selections

2 All-Star nods

1 Golden Boot

12 Player of the Matchday awards

5 Player of the Month awards

His MVP victory was a landslide, capturing more than 70% of the total vote, well ahead of Anders Dreyer, Denis Bouanga, Evander, and Sam Surridge.

Chasing records and surpassing legends

Messi is now only the second two-time MLS MVP winner, joining Preki, who claimed the award in 1997 and 2003. No other player has won it in consecutive seasons.

Miami’s season ends in triumph despite setbacks

Despite Messi’s statistical brilliance, Miami’s campaign came with turbulence. They exited the CONCACAF Champions Cup early, fell to Seattle in the Leagues Cup final, and failed to defend the Supporters’ Shield.

Their turnaround arrived in the postseason, where Messi’s leadership powered the club to its first-ever MLS Cup.