The MLS MVP race is heating up with the play-offs coming up, with Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, naturally, in the conversation.
The Argentine international has managed 17 goals and ten assists in 18 MLS games, an outstanding record given how little league action Messi has played this year due to international commitments and injury.
With the likes of Taylor Twellman debating if Messi deserves MVP given how few Messi games has played throughout a 34-game season, though, there’s real causes for concern amongst professionals in the voting process on of the Inter Miami star should win the award.
And Charlotte FC defender and former Premier League star Tim Ream has chipped his thoughts into the debate.
Ream says Messi will be ‘at the top of the list’ for MLS MVP
Speaking on the Player/Manager podcast, the USA international highlighted that there a number of valid candidates for MLS MVP this year, yet given Messi’s stats and the fact it’s Messi, Ream said the Inter Miami captain will be at the top of the list.
Ream said in an interview with Julian Gressel: “There’s a good number of candidates this year, for sure. The number of games Messi played to propel you guys from where Inter Miami was last year to the Supporters’ Shield, like I said, there’s good candidates, but he’s gotta be at the top of the list.”
With Matt Doyle also suggesting Messi is the favorite for MLS MVP, the Inter Miami forward winning the award would feel somewhat underserving given how good the Herons have been this season when the Argentine was out injured.
Yet with top professionals in MLS like Ream suggesting Messi would be top of the list for MVP voting, there’s a real chance that the Inter Miami star can win the award, much to the dismay of others nominated.
American soccer would be a laughing stock if Messi wins MVP
Messi’s numbers for the games he has played this season are nothing short of incredible, with the former FC Barcelona superstar managing 27 goal contributions in just 18 games, a feat we would expect from the reigning Ballon d’Or holder.
Yet with Messi playing just over half the MLS games available this season, American soccer would become a laughing stock once again if the Inter Miami forward was to be named MVP for 2024.
Not only does it take away the recognition of another player in MLS more deserving of the award, but it also takes away the spotlight from the Inter Miami squad who won the Herons the Supporters’ Shield and into the play-offs whilst Messi was out injured.