Lionel Messi has once again etched his name into soccer history. After guiding Inter Miami to its first-ever MLS Cup, the Argentine superstar was officially named the Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player for 2025, a recognition announced by league commissioner Don Garber.
Messi’s numbers were dazzling: 29 goals and 19 assists in just 28 matches, leaving him one contribution shy of Carlos Vela’s single-season record, which was achieved in 31 games. His consistency and brilliance made him the heartbeat of Miami’s attack and the clear choice for the award.
This latest honor places Messi alongside Kansas City Wizards legend Predrag Radosavljević “Preki” as the only players to win the MVP twice. Yet Messi stands alone as the first to claim the award in consecutive seasons. At 38, he continues to defy age, though he is not the oldest MVP in MLS history: Preki still holds the record, having won the distinction at 40 back in 2003.
While some questioned his 2024 MVP due to injuries that limited his appearances, 2025 erased all doubts. Messi delivered what many consider the greatest attacking season in MLS history, leading Miami’s star-studded lineup across five competitions. The club even set a league record with 58 matches played in a single calendar year.
Though Vela retains the regular-season record for goal contributions, Messi shattered the combined tally across league and playoffs, finishing with 61 compared to Vela’s 52. His playoff run was particularly decisive: six goals and seven assists in six matches, capped by a two-assist performance in the MLS Cup final that secured both the trophy and another MVP accolade.
Messi’s late-season surge was equally remarkable, with 10 goals and nine assists in Miami’s last eight league games, underscoring his ability to rise when it matters most.
Other finalists included Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Evander (FC Cincinnati), and Sam Surridge (Nashville SC). Each had strong campaigns, but Messi’s dominance left little room for debate.
The voting reflected that dominance, too: Messi captured 70% of the overall vote, including 83% from media, 55% from players, and 73% from club staff. Dreyer finished a distant second with 11%.
With back-to-back MVP titles and a historic MLS Cup triumph, Messi has not only expanded his legendary career but also elevated the profile of North American soccer. Also, his 2025 season is a solid proof that even at 38, he remains one of the game’s greatest forces ever.
