Lionel Messi: Inter Miami star beats Luis Suarez to MLS MVP 2024 award - 'He is Michael Jackson meeting Taylor Swift'
Published 06/12/2024 at 16:45 GMT
Lionel Messi added the MLS MVP award to his lengthy list of honours, which includes eight Ballon d'Or awards, four UEFA Champions League titles and a World Cup. The Argentinian saw off competition for the award from Inter Miami team-mate Luis Suarez as well as another former Liverpool striker in Christian Benteke. He scored 20 goals and assisted 16 in the 2024 campaign.
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Lionel Messi has beaten Luis Suarez and Christian Benteke to the Landon Donovan MVP Award for the 2024 Major League Soccer season.
The Argentinian great posted 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 appearances for Inter Miami, helping his side to the top of the MLS Eastern Conference standings, before they were knocked out of the play-offs by Atlanta United at the first hurdle.
He did manage to bring silverware to the club in his debut season, however, as the Florida-based side lifted the Supporters' Shield.
The MVP tag is the latest in the 37-year-old's brimming list of honours, which includes eight Ballon d'Or awards, six European Golden Shoes, 10 La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions League crowns and the 2022 World Cup.
Messi was greeted by over 250 of Miami's academy players, alongside his own children, for the award presentation, as they took the shape of the letters 'MVP'.
"Truly, it is an honour for me to receive this award from all of you," Messi said to the academy players.
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"It's a source of pride to watch you all train. I'm very happy to be here every day. I'm very happy to be in this city, in this club that is growing.
"It's a pleasure to see you grow day by day. I invite you to keep fighting and striving for your dreams."
MLS commissioner Don Garber went on to explain the significance of having the all-time legend within the MLS ranks.
"Unless you’re living in the world of global football, it’s hard to imagine the overall appeal and the massive popularity and stardom that Leo Messi has," said Garber, per The Independent.
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"I mean, he is Michael Jackson meeting Taylor Swift – and he’s playing in our league. I will say it exceeded my expectations.
"I love what it’s done for MLS and I hope Leo stays healthy and is going to be in the league for a long time. I’d love to see Leo be a part of our league for the rest of time.
"I chatted with his wife [Wednesday] night and I said hi to his kids. They seem very happy here. That’s a good thing. To see a player and their family actually happy is what it’s all about."
Messi beat Columbus Crew forward Cucho Hernandez to the award, as well as former Liverpool strikers Suarez and Benteke.
The vote is decided by players, technical staff and select members of the media, with the Argentinian conjuring 38.43% of the overall vote, ahead of Hernandez who got 33.70%.
Per MLS, Messi joined former MVPs Carlos Vela and Sebastian Giovinco as the only players in the league's history to notch at least 20 goals and 15 assists in a single season.
Messi's long-time international team-mate Javier Mascherano took over from outgoing boss Gerardo 'Tata' Martino in November, and will lead Miami in the Club World Cup next summer – which they qualified for via the home nation route.
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