Lionel Messi Back-to-Back MLS MVP win marks a historic 2025 season as the Inter Miami star delivers record contributions and leads his team to the MLS Cup

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi was on Tuesday named the Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player for the 2025 season in Miami, becoming the first player in league history to secure the honour in consecutive years.

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The announcement was made by Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber, confirming a landmark moment for the league and the Messi Back-to-Back MLS MVP narrative.

The recognition crowns a remarkable campaign in which the Argentine captain delivered one of the most dominant attacking seasons ever witnessed in the competition.

He scored 29 goals and provided 19 assists in 28 matches, finishing only one contribution short of Carlos Vela’s single-season record, which the former LAFC forward set over 31 games.

Messi’s influence guided Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup triumph, and he produced decisive moments throughout the playoffs.

He scored six goals and contributed seven assists as Miami navigated a demanding six-game run.

His two assists in the final earned him the Final MVP award and cemented his impact on the club’s historic title charge.

The 38-year-old joins Preki as the only two-time winners of the MLS MVP award, though he becomes the first to claim the feat in back-to-back seasons.

Despite the milestone, he is not the oldest recipient. Preki still holds that distinction after winning at age 40 in 2003.

Messi also set a new record for combined regular-season and playoff goal contributions. His tally of 61 surpassed Vela’s previous high of 52.

Miami’s relentless calendar added weight to the achievement, as the club competed on five fronts and played an unprecedented 58 matches in 2025.

He ended the regular season in electrifying form, registering 10 goals and nine assists in Miami’s final eight matches.

That late surge reinforced his dominance as voters across the league cast their ballots.

Messi earned 70 per cent of the total vote, including an overwhelming 83 per cent from media members.

He secured 55 per cent of the vote from MLS players and 73 per cent from club staff. San Diego FC forward Anders Dreyer finished a distant second with 11 per cent.

Other finalists included LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander and Nashville SC striker Sam Surridge.

The season delivered compelling storylines across the league, but Messi’s breathtaking consistency made the final decision emphatic.

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His performance level, leadership and output formed a powerful combination that defined MLS in 2025.