Lionel Messi is already a footballing legend, but his legacy continues to grow as he dominates North American soccer. After lifting the 2025 MLS Cup, the Argentine star was named the winner of the Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
As if that were not enough, Messi, at 38 years of age, was the first soccer player to win the MLS MVP twice and he did it consecutively.
The World Cup winner had already won the MLS Golden Boot after leading the North American league with 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 games. Messi’s 48 goal contributions is the second highest mark in MLS history, just one goal behind what Carlos Vela produced for LAFC in 2019.
In addition, Messi set a new MLS playoff record. With his 15 goal contributions (six goals and nine assists) in the MLS Cup Playoffs, he became the player with the most goal contributions in the history of the league’s playoffs.
All MLS MVP 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 Martinez – Atlanta United FC
- 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
- 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 Gomez – 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
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