By Martin Graham
Lionel Messi has been named Major League Soccer’s Most Outstanding Player for the second year in a row, becoming the first figure in league history to win the award twice in a row. His influence was central as Inter Miami captured his first MLS Cup, with the veteran playmaker scoring twice in a decisive 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The Argentine striker also finished as the league’s top goalscorer, with 29 goals during the 2025 regular campaign. In all competitions that year, he produced 48 direct strikes in 28 appearances, the second-highest ever in a single MLS season.
Messi’s form included at least three decisive contributions in nine different outings, another unparalleled benchmark in the competition. His efforts were overwhelmingly recognized, taking over 70% of the vote share from club staff, journalists and fellow professionals, well ahead of runner-up Anders Dreyer of San Diego.
Record scoring rates
Over the course of the season, the 38-year-old recorded ten multi-goal games, surpassing the previous record shared by Stern John, Mamadou Diallo and Zlatan Ibrahimović. His productivity spanned a remarkable stretch from late May to mid-July, during which he found the back of the net ten times in five consecutive games.
That blistering stretch made him the first MLS competitor to hold a multi-goal streak longer than four games. The sustained production contributed significantly to Miami’s campaign as they advanced to silverware and cemented their status among the strongest teams in the league.
Messi’s extraordinary consistency at this stage of his career further cemented his status as an enduring force in the sport, even after decades of competing at the highest level.
Professional achievements and future plans
The Inter Miami captain extended his contract earlier this year and committed to remain with the Florida club until the conclusion of the 2028 season. His latest honor adds to a long catalog of accolades accumulated during his time with Barcelona, ​​​​Paris Saint-Germain, Argentina and now MLS.
Among his many accolades are the 2022 World Cup triumph, multiple World Player of the Year titles, two World Cup Golden Balls and a collection of European and South American league-specific scoring and performance honours. His North American achievements now sit alongside that historic list.
However, Messi has not yet clarified whether he intends to represent Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Fans continue to wait for confirmation as the tournament approaches.
