Lionel Messi: MLS MVP award given to Inter Miami forward
Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi has won the Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain striker helped Inter Miami set a regular season points record before his side were eliminated from the tournament. They were defeated in the first round of the MLS Cup play-offs in November.
The 37-year-old has contributed to a league-leading 36 goals, scoring 20 goals and creating 16 assists.
Messi won the award despite playing in only 19 regular season games and two playoff games for Miami this year due to injury.
The league’s MVP is selected jointly by players, club technical staff and reporters. Messi received 38.43% of the vote, beating out Cujo Hernandez of the Columbus Crew, who received 33.7%.
The award, officially known as the Landon Donovan MLS MVP, has previously been won by former United States midfielder Donovan, Republic of Ireland’s Robbie Keane and Spain’s David Villa.
