Inter Miami fans were given a reason to celebrate yesterday as the club’s star player Lionel Messi was named the 2024 MLS MVP.
Messi narrowly pipped Colombus Crews Cucho Hernandez to the award in which he received 38.43% of the vote.
Herons fans were quick to praise Messi, who beat teammate Luis Suarez to the award.
Inter Miami’s season did not end how those at the club and the fans would have wanted. The side crashed out of the playoffs surprisingly to Atlanta United.
However, since the disappointment the club has been drawn in the FIFA Club World Cup, where they will take on the likes of FC Porto and Palmeiras in their group.
Javier Mascherano is now in charge and Lionel Messi spoke after his MLS MVP win to suggest a strong return next season.
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Messi ready to ‘come back stronger’ for new MLS season
Despite just being handed yet another personal accolade, in his remarkable career, Lionel Messi was keen to speak to the Inter Miami fans about next season.
Speaking at the Chase Stadium, where he received his award, Messi said: “I’m very happy to be here every day. I’m very happy to be in this city, in this club that is growing.”
Messi went on to state that he was disappointed that the club had not made the MLS Final but made a key statement ahead of next season.
Messi continued: “I would have liked to have received this award in another situation, being able to play the final next Saturday. But that is also what football is about, overcoming yourself every day. We had a big dream of being MLS champions this year. It didn’t happen, but next year we’ll come back stronger to try again.”
While Messi is aiming for an MLS Final new manager Mascherano recently played down the team’s chances of instant success.
Despite being disappointed by last season the MVP win shows just how big of an impact he has on this Inter Miami side. David Beckham and the club’s hierarchy will be desperate to nail down a new contract.
Lionel Messi joins former Inter Miami players to be named MVP
Messi became Inter Miami’s first-ever winner of the MLS MVP award in the club’s relatively short history.
The award has been handed to the most valuable player of the season since the league’s inauguration in 1996.
Messi is the fifth Argentine to be named MLS MVP and the MLS commissioner Don Garber told Messi: “We’re honoured to have you in our league. To have the best player in the world as the best player in Major League Soccer is something that dreams are made of.”
Despite Messi being the only player actively at Inter Miami to win the award, two former players were named MVP with other clubs.
Former Inter Miami striker Josef Martínez was given the award in 2018 whilst with Atlanta, he scored 31 goals and made five assists in that season.
Alejandro Pozuelo was also named MVP in 2020 whilst with Toronto, the Spaniard started every match during the campaign, scoring nine goals and recording ten assists, which was the joint most in the league.
Messi will be hoping to continue his great individual form next season and lead Miami to success.