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Lionel Messi continues to make history: crowned MLS MVP and sets new record
Dec 09 2025 18:16 · By JAVIER GÁLVEZ · 96 Reads
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