Inter Miami's Messi wins MLS MVP award

Lionel Messi has been named Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Player (MVP) for 2023. Despite injuries limiting him to 19 regular-season games and two playoff appearances, the 37-year-old Argentine superstar recorded a league-leading 36 goal contributions, with 20 goals and 16 assists.

Messi’s performances helped Inter Miami achieve a record points tally during the regular season, although the team was eliminated in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

The MVP award, officially the Landon Donovan MLS MVP, is determined by votes from players, technical staff, and journalists. Messi secured 38.43% of the vote, narrowly beating Columbus Crew's Cucho Hernandez with 33.7%.

This accolade places Messi among past winners like Robbie Keane, David Villa, and Landon Donovan himself.