Messi approaches 15 goals and assists in MLS season

Lionel Messi is on the verge of joining an elite group in Major League Soccer, potentially becoming the fifth player to achieve 15 goals and 15 assists in a single season. As of now, he has recorded 14 goals and 14 assists in just 13 matches during the 2024 MLS regular season. His performance has been remarkable, and if he continues at this pace, he could surpass previous records in terms of games played. However, despite his impressive statistics, Messi's candidacy for the MVP award is complicated by his limited appearances due to an interrupted season. Historically, players who have reached the 15-15 milestone have often won the MVP award, but Messi's case may be different due to the number of games he has missed. The impact of his absence has been less significant for Inter Miami than anticipated, as the team has maintained a strong points-per-game average both with and without him on the field. This raises questions about his overall value to the team. Furthermore, if Messi finishes the season with high goal and assist totals, he could still face challenges in the MVP race, particularly from players like Luciano Acosta, who currently leads in overall goal contributions. Ultimately, Messi's extraordinary numbers may not guarantee him the MVP title, as voters will weigh his limited participation against his performance and the expectations placed upon him.