The MLS play-offs are just around the corner, and Lionel Messi’s bid to win MVP could be about to begin.
Inter Miami’s star attacker is viewed as the favorite for the prestigious award, with Matt Doyle saying Messi should win MLS MVP even with the 37-year-old attacker playing just half of the available games this season for the Herons.
With USA international Tim Ream also backing Messi to win MLS MVP, all signs seem to point towards the Inter Miami star picking up the award in the coming weeks, especially if the Argentine international can push the Florida franchise to glory in the play-offs.
And Alexi Lalas has now shared his verdict on if Messi should win MLS MVP.
Clik here to view.
Lalas on the fence on Messi’s bid to win MLS MVP
Speaking on the State of the Union Podcast, the former USA international seemingly put his opinion on Messi winning MVP on the fence, with Lalas praising Inter Miami as a collective for what they’ve managed to achieve this season.
Lalas said: “What Messi has done this year is incredible. Historically, what they have done in amassing these points, winning the Supporters’ Shield like this and in this fashion. We will see if they are able to parlay it into what I think is the ultimate prize, which is MLS Cup.
“But still, it should not take away from the wonderful regular season that they have had and that they have been able to do it with Messi, and certainly he is a huge part of it, and without Messi, which there were lots of questions as to whether that was going to happen, given his injury, and then obviously being away with Argentina.
“And so I think it says a lot about the depth that they have amassed over there and what they have ultimately done.”
Clik here to view.
Messi’s MVP credentials still aren’t as solid as other candidates
Messi’s raw numbers this year in terms of goals and assists have been outstanding this season, with the Argentine international the most productive player in MLS by some distance.
Yet having missed over half the season due to injuries and international commitments, Messi’s MVP credentials simply aren’t as solid as other candidates who have been fit the entire season and played a real role in getting their teams to qualify for the play-offs.
Yet as we know, Messi’s reputation alone could win the forward the MVP award, and MLS could look to review their criteria for who is nominated for the accolade should the 37-year-old win this year.
