Oman today_ Lionel Messi has claimed the title of Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season, reaffirming his dominance in American soccer. By winning the Landon Donovan MVP Award, he became the first player in MLS history to achieve this honor in back-to-back seasons.
The Argentine superstar and Inter Miami captain had an outstanding 2025 season, scoring 29 goals and providing 19 assists in 28 matches. Not only did he finish as the league’s top scorer, but he also surpassed his own records from the previous season, directly contributing to a total of 48 goals for his team, an achievement that ranks as the second-highest in MLS history.
Messi set additional milestones, including recording at least three direct goal contributions in nine consecutive matches, scoring 10 game-winning goals in a single season, and becoming the first player in league history to register at least 36 direct contributions across multiple seasons, accomplishing this in both 2024 and 2025.
He also shone in the 2025 MLS playoffs, tallying six goals and nine assists for a total of 15 direct goal contributions, setting a new record for the playoffs. His performances helped Inter Miami secure their first-ever MLS Cup with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps. Since joining Inter Miami in July 2023, Messi has helped the club win major titles, and his contract with the team runs through 2028.
The MLS Most Valuable Player award, named after Landon Donovan, has been presented annually since 1996 to the player deemed most valuable to their team by votes from players, coaches and media. With this achievement, Messi became the second player in league history to win the award twice and one of only four players in the past decade to simultaneously claim both the top scorer and MVP honors.