Three days after helping Inter Miami win its first MLS Cup, Lionel Messi added another milestone to his impressive collection of individual and club honors.
Messi was named Major League Soccer’s MVP for the 2025 season on Tuesday, Dec. 9. He became the first player in league history to win the MVP award in consecutive seasons and just the second player to win MVP honors twice, joining Preki, who took home the honors in 1997 and 2003.
Messi earned 70.43% of the total vote in a landslide win over San Diego FC’s Anders Dreyer (11.15%), Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga (7.27%), FC Cincinnati’s Evander (4.78%) and Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge (2.42%). MLS players, media and club executives vote for the award.
Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient and 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina, finished the 2025 regular season with 48 goal contributions (29 goals, 19 assists) in 28 Inter Miami matches, winning the MLS Golden Boot. Messi is the only player in league history to record at least 36 goal contributions in multiple seasons (2024-25) and is the second player to lead the league in both goals and assists, joining Sebastian Giovinco (2015).
On Saturday, Dec. 6, Messi earned MLS Cup MVP honors while playing a vital role in Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the league championship game at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Messi had two assists in the win, which earned Inter Miami its third trophy in the club’s six-season history (2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield). For Messi, it was the 47th trophy that he’s won for both club and country.
Landon Donovan MLS MVP award winners
- 2025 — Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF
- 2024 — Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF
- 2023 — Luciano Acosta, FC Cincinnati
- 2022 — Hany Mukhtar, Nashville SC
- 2021 — Carles Gil, New England Revolution
- 2020 — Alejandro Pozuelo , Toronto FC
- 2019 — Carlos Vela, Los Angeles Football Club
- 2018 — Josef Martínez, Atlanta United
- 2017 — Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers
- 2016 — David Villa, New York City FC
- 2015 — Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC
- 2014 — Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy
- 2013 – Mike Magee, Chicago Fire FC
- 2012 – Chris Wondolowski, San Jose Earthquakes
- 2011 – Dwayne De Rosario, D.C. United
- 2010 — David Ferreira, FC Dallas
- 2009 — Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy
- 2008 — Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus Crew
- 2007 — Luciano Emilio, D.C. United
- 2006 — Christian Gómez, D.C. United
- 2005 — Taylor Twellman, New England Revolution
- 2004 — Amado Guevara, MetroStars
- 2003 — Preki, Kansas City Wizards
- 2002 — Carlos Ruiz, LA Galaxy
- 2001 — Alex Pineda Chacon, Miami Fusion
- 2000 — Tony Meola, Kansas City Wizards
- 1999 — Jason Kreis, Dallas Burn
- 1998 — Marco Etcheverry, D.C. United
- 1997 — Preki, Kansas City Wizards
- 1996 — Carlos Valderrama, Tampa Bay Mutiny
