Miami, 10 December (H.S.): Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has been crowned the Major League Soccer (MLS) Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the second consecutive year, cementing his dominant presence in American soccer. The 38-year-old Inter Miami captain earned the honor on Tuesday after guiding his team to its maiden MLS Cup title and topping the scoring charts with a stellar season.

Messi has become the first player in MLS history to win back-to-back MVP titles and only the second in the league’s history to claim the award twice, after Preki, who achieved the feat in 1997 and 2003.During the regular season, Messi netted 29 goals and provided 19 assists — securing the MLS Golden Boot and becoming only the second player in league history to lead in both goals and assists in a single season. The last to do so was Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto FC in 2015.

After extending his contract with Inter Miami for three more years in October, Messi carried his form into the playoffs, scoring six goals and registering nine assists. In last weekend’s final, Inter Miami defeated Vancouver 3–1 to lift its first-ever MLS Cup. Messi was instrumental in the victory, providing two key assists and earning the MLS Cup Final MVP honor.

This accolade adds yet another jewel to Messi’s already illustrious career. His record includes eight Ballon d’Or titles, three FIFA Best Men’s Player awards, two FIFA World Cup Golden Balls, three UEFA Men’s Player of the Year honors, six European Golden Shoes, six La Liga Best Player awards, and fifteen Argentina Footballer of the Year titles.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar