Lionel Messi has been nominated for the 2024 MLS MVP award alongside 34 other players, and despite playing only a fraction of the season, his case for winning is compelling.

This season, Messi participated in 18 of 33 matches (54.5%) for the top-ranking Inter Miami, primarily due to a right ankle injury that kept him out for two and a half months. Nevertheless, his performance statistics clearly justify his candidacy for the league’s Most Valuable Player award.

Currently, only four players have netted more goals than Messi’s 17, while just two have exceeded his 15 assists. The players leading in these stats have participated in at least eight to 13 additional matches compared to Messi.

If an “Efficiency Player” award existed, Messi would win that easily. The only significant argument against his MVP candidacy is his limited number of appearances, which isn’t a substantial enough reason to overlook his achievements.

Admittedly, a headline like “Messi wins MLS MVP despite playing only half the season” lacks nuance. Nonetheless, it’s important to recognize that the world’s top player has been the standout performer in MLS this year.

The idea that the MVP should go to a more “deserving” player is misguided.

“Messi missed 15 games this season and his team actually had a better points per game without him. If you vote for Messi as MVP, you’re not being serious,” said Apple TV analyst and former USMNT player Sacha Kljestan on social media. “Messi is the greatest of all time, that’s beyond debate. But he’s not the MVP of MLS in 2024.”

Let’s Take a Step Back

Another argument suggests that Inter Miami fared well without Messi. While the franchise deserves credit for assembling one of the strongest rosters in MLS and keeping competitive during Messi’s absence, it is Messi’s presence that has dramatically transformed the team into a globally recognized entity.

Last season, Inter Miami ranked 27th out of 29 teams, but in Messi’s first full (or semi-full) MLS season, they rocketed to first place.

Messi scored two goals against Columbus Crew, aiding Inter Miami in securing the MLS Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the team with the best league record, and clinching the top seed for the upcoming MLS Cup Playoffs.

Moreover, Inter Miami has the potential to be remembered as the best regular-season team in MLS history if they achieve the points record of 74 with a win against the New England Revolution in the season finale on October 19.

“All of this success is happening while they provide exciting soccer,” said FOX Sports analyst and former USMNT star Alexi Lalas on his “State of the Union Podcast” last week. “What they’ve created is incredible, certainly thanks to Messi, but also due to the brand, the pink color, and global recognition. There’s immense hype, and they have consistently met these expectations even without their entire squad.”

Messi’s Stats vs. Previous MLS MVP Winners

Messi has tallied 17 goals and 15 assists—totaling 32 contributions—in 18 games played for Inter Miami, with one match left to play.

Messi’s 32 contributions surpass those of three of the last four MLS MVPs, tying him with 2017 MVP Diego Valeri. If he records two more contributions in the season finale, he will tie the 2022 MVP Hany Mukhtar.

In summary, Messi’s MVP qualifications from this abbreviated season align closely with those of past winners.

Why Messi is the Leading MVP Candidate in 2024

So, who else could be in the running for MVP? One contender is Crew’s Cucho Hernandez, who also has 32 contributions (19 goals and 13 assists), but he missed a crucial penalty that would have tied the recent match against Inter Miami. In that important game, Messi outperformed him.

Denis Bouanga boasts 19 goals and 11 assists (30 contributions) for LAFC, a team currently not leading its city or conference and behind the L.A. Galaxy.

Christian Benteke from DC United has been impressive, possibly securing the Golden Boot with 23 goals, but his team languishes in eighth place despite his significant contributions.

Only two players have more contributions than Messi: Lucho Acosta with 33 in 31 matches for third-place Cincinnati, and Evander with 33 in 27 matches for ninth-place Portland. Acosta won MVP last season with 31 contributions.

Luis Suarez, Messi’s close friend and teammate at Inter Miami, also makes a solid case, leading the club with 18 goals, although seven of those came in just four matches (three braces) without Messi.

Former U.S. soccer star Herculez Gomez stands with Messi for MVP, asserting that Messi has outperformed everyone else.

“He has helped his team win the Supporters’ Shield. They will become historic,” Gomez stated. “Going into the playoffs, if he continues this form, this could be the best team we’ve ever seen in Major League Soccer featuring the best player we’ve ever witnessed.”

“It’s straightforward. There’s no debate here.”

While there are other deserving candidates like Hernandez, Bouanga, Benteke, Evander, and Acosta, Messi’s performance has been outstanding, warranting his MVP candidacy.