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After claiming a record eighth Ballon d'Or, Messi left European football and signed with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer partway through the 2023 campaign. He rapidly transformed one of MLS's weakest sides into a genuine trophy contender, capturing the Leagues Cup and reaching the U.S. Open Cup final before falling short.
With a full campaign behind him, Messi then led Miami's 2024 roster to what was at the time the finest regular season record in MLS history (74 total points) and the club's first-ever Supporters' Shield, an achievement that earned him the MLS MVP honor.
Even in the later stages of his career, Messi has continued to deliver for the Herons. He claimed the 2025 MLS MVP, becoming only the second player in league history to win the award twice, following Preki, who took it in 1997 and 2003. Messi then steered the Herons past Nashville, Cincinnati, NYCFC, and Vancouver to clinch the club's first-ever MLS Cup.
2026 has proven to be a turbulent year for Miami following the departures of club stalwarts Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets in the offseason, compounded by the early exit of head coach Javier Mascherano. Yet largely due to Messi's influence, Miami have managed to hold steady and finish with the third-best record in MLS for the second consecutive season, securing second place in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville.
Messi could make history by becoming the only player to win three Landon Donovan MLS MVP awards, but does he truly deserve a third consecutive honor? Let's break it down.
The Numbers Don't Lie—Messi Is the 2026 MLS MVP
Who's the most valuable player in the league? 🤔@SachaKljestan shares his final MVP Power Rankings before Decision Day on Saturday. 📈
✍️: https://t.co/9DHWM7tqOq pic.twitter.com/KganQ2SKCc
Miami ended the regular season four points adrift of Vancouver and 17 behind Nashville, who broke their record for the highest points total (77) in an MLS regular season. Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge have both mounted compelling MVP cases for Nashville, as has Brian White for Vancouver. Other contenders such as Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Carles Gil (New England), and Denis Bouanga (LAFC) have also put together impressive individual seasons.
Unfortunately for all of them, they are ordinary mortals competing against "an alien." For the better part of two decades, Messi has operated on an entirely different level, delivering passes that others cannot conceive, producing shots that defy logic, and elevating those around him. He has been the standout player in MLS by a wide margin since arriving in Miami, and there is little indication that will change anytime soon.
After becoming the first player to win back-to-back MLS MVPs, Messi also became the first to retain his top scorer crown, joining Taylor Twellman, Preki, Jeff Cunningham, Bradley Wright-Phillips, and Chris Wondolowski as the only players to claim two MLS Golden Boots. He netted 26 goals this season—four more than runner-up Musa—while his 17 assists were surpassed only by Charlotte's Pep Biel (18). That amounts to 43 goal contributions, 12 more than any other player in the league.
Even at 39 years old, Messi has continued to shape matches both as a creator and a finisher. He registered 183 shots—61 more than any other player—with 76 on target (24 more than anyone else). He also led all MLS players in expected assists (12.7) and expected goal contributions per 90 minutes (1.13), while only Evander (27) created more big chances than him (25).
Messi has served as the guiding light for a Miami side that has lacked direction and stability throughout the season. Even during the chaotic interim spell under Guillermo Hoyos, he kept Miami in contention at the top of the Supporters' Shield standings and competing with the league's elite. And even when he had every reason to, he never once let his level dip.
Midway through the season, Messi featured in his sixth FIFA World Cup, reminding billions of viewers around the globe why he remains among the finest players on the planet. He carried Argentina all the way to the final, where they came agonizingly close to a record fourth consecutive major trophy, only to fall to Spain in extra time.
He was awarded the World Cup Silver Ball, though by most accounts he deserved his third Golden Ball. He was the finest player at the tournament, regardless of his team's ultimate fate. No player created more chances (25), big chances (eight), or expected assists (4.2) than Messi, with only Kylian Mbappé posting higher expected goals (6.9 vs. 5.3), goals (10 vs. eight), and goal contributions (14 vs. 12).
Messi engaged in a gripping duel with Mbappé for both the Golden Boot and the all-time World Cup scoring record, surpassing Miroslav Klose's legendary mark (16) before ultimately being overtaken by Mbappé (22 vs. 21), while also finishing as the all-time leading assist provider in World Cup history (12). The Argentine delivered a tournament for the ages, reaching heights no MLS player had previously achieved on the World Cup stage.
After pushing his body and mind to the absolute limit on football's grandest stage, it would have been entirely understandable for Messi to take time away to recover. Instead, he returned just two weeks later, coming off the bench against Columbus Crew before scoring twice and adding an assist in a Leagues Cup fixture against Atletico San Luis.
Messi Transforms Heartbreak Into Heroics
Three weeks after the World Cup final, Messi's father, Jorge, aged 68, passed away following a prolonged illness. Despite the devastating loss, Messi put on a brave face and continued to perform at the highest level for both club and country.
Messi traveled from Miami to Rosario to mourn with his family, yet missed only one match before returning to action against León. Even in the wake of losing one of the most significant figures in his life, his performances on the pitch have remained extraordinary, with 15 goals and seven assists across his last 17 appearances.
He ensured Miami didn't finish the 2026 season empty-handed, contributing a goal and an assist in a 2–0 victory over Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup. And following his emotional farewell to a storied 21-year Argentina career, he has continued to make his mark for Miami. Messi returned from his final international break with a brace against D.C. United, before adding an assist against New York City FC and another brace against Atlanta United.
Just as Miami appeared at risk of sliding down the standings following a defeat to Red Bull New York and a draw with FC Cincinnati, Messi steadied the ship as only a true captain can. He set up Germán Berterame's equalizer before completing the comeback victory in New England, lifting Miami above the Revolution into second place.
Even when he's not on the scoresheet, he remains central to everything Miami do, as demonstrated against Charlotte FC on Decision Day last weekend, when he created the joint-most chances (three) and attempted the most shots (four). Miami's vulnerable defense ultimately allowed three consecutive goals and the match ended 3–3, but the Herons still secured second place in the East.
Leo Messi has been named to the 2026 @FIFPRO World 11. It's his record 18th selection. 👏 pic.twitter.com/fAf4MAz9pI
If there is one reason Miami have been unable to mount a serious Supporters' Shield challenge, it is their defense. They have conceded 59 goals—34 more than Nashville and 25 more than Vancouver—and more than any other side in MLS's top 13. Yet they have still finished third in the league, powered by their league-leading attack of 80 goals.
While Messi may not have been on the best team of the regular season, he has unquestionably been its best player. He has enabled Miami to go head-to-head with the league's top side, holding Nashville SC to a draw in three of their four encounters this year.
Miami will once again be relying on Messi's individual brilliance as they bid to become the first team in 14 years to successfully defend the MLS Cup. But before any celebrations can begin, they must first get past arguably the hottest team in MLS right now: Columbus Crew.
Fortunately for the Herons, Messi has made a habit of haunting Columbus, tallying five goals and an assist across his last four starts against the Ohio club. Now, the Argentine will be looking to turn back the clock once more and remind everyone why he remains the undisputed best player in North America, and arguably the finest in the world.