MLS Best XI snubs star players Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets
- Lionel Messi had a spectacular season in MLS, scoring 20 goals and providing 16 assists.
- Despite his achievements, Inter Miami was eliminated early in the playoffs, leading to notable omissions from the MLS Best XI.
- Messi's MVP award adds to his illustrious collection of honors and signifies his impact on MLS.
In December 2024, Lionel Messi was honored with the Major League Soccer MVP award for the 2024 season while playing for Inter Miami CF in the United States. This significant accolade is a testament to his outstanding performance in his first full season with the club, where he managed to score 20 goals and provide 16 assists in just 19 games. Messi's impressive statistics contributed to Inter Miami's remarkable season, leading the club to achieve a record 22 wins out of 34 matches, showcasing their best record in franchise history. The team accumulated a total of 74 points, breaking the previous league record for points in a single season, and Messi's contributions ranked him as the highest player in combined goals and assists in the league. Despite the team's strengths, Inter Miami experienced an early exit from the playoffs, falling to Atlanta United in a surprising 3-2 defeat. This loss raised questions about why more Inter Miami players were not included in the MLS Best XI, especially stars like Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets, who were notable omissions. The 2024 MLS Best XI featured several first-time honorees from diverse backgrounds, but the absence of key Miami players drew criticism and highlighted the impact of the team's unexpected playoff performance. Messi's achievement as the first-ever MVP for Inter Miami adds to a long list of accolades in his illustrious career, which has seen him secure numerous awards over the years. Furthermore, Messi's dominant performance had a wide-ranging impact on the league, elevating the profile of MLS and enhancing the popularity of soccer in the United States. He joined a select group of players, including Carlos Vela and Sebastian Giovinco, who have reached similar milestones of scoring at least 20 goals and providing 15 assists in a single season. His victory in the MVP voting was significant, as Messi garnered 38.43 percent of the votes, edging out Cucho Hernandez of Columbus Crew. The result illustrated the respect and admiration Messi commands both from his peers and the technical staff, notwithstanding Hernandez's strong season performance. Messi's continuation in the league is expected to generate further excitement and interest in MLS, with both fans and aspiring players looking to him as an inspirational figure. As the league looks ahead to the future, Inter Miami is set to compete in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup, buoyed by their recent success in winning the Supporters' Shield. They will also host the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, signaling a bright and promising trajectory for both Messi and the club alike in the evolving landscape of American soccer.