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