Playing in 55% of Miami’s games, does Messi deserve MLS MVP?

Does Lionel Messi Truly Deserve the MLS MVP Award?

When it comes to MVP awards in sports, the debate is always lively. What exactly defines “most valuable”? Is it the best player overall? The best player on the best team? Or is it someone who elevates an underdog to new heights? Maybe it’s all about the stats—or even the financial impact a player brings to the league. These questions fuel endless discussions, and this year’s MLS Landon Donovan MVP award has sparked plenty of chatter with Lionel Messi of Inter Miami taking home the honor.

Let’s break it down: Does Messi check the MVP boxes? Absolutely. But does he also leave some room for doubt? That’s where things get interesting.

Messi’s Case for MVP: The Numbers Don’t Lie

First, let’s talk about the obvious. Messi is, without question, the best player in MLS. The eye test alone confirms that. (Check.) Then there’s the fact that he transformed Inter Miami from a team that missed the playoffs in 2023 to one that set an MLS record with 74 points and claimed the Supporters’ Shield in 2024. (Check.)

Statistically, Messi’s 36 goal contributions—20 goals and 16 assists—led the league. That’s more than FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta and Portland Timbers’ Evander, who each had 33. Messi’s contributions came at an outrageous rate of 2.18 per 90 minutes, far ahead of the next-best mark of 1.36, shared by his teammate Luis Suárez and Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernández. (Check.)

So far, so good. But here’s where the debate begins.

The Availability Problem

Messi’s MVP case takes a hit when you look at his availability. Due to international duty and injuries, he played in just 19 of Miami’s 34 regular-season games, starting only 15 of them. That’s 1,486 minutes—less than half of the 3,090 minutes available. To put it in perspective, Messi appeared in just 55.8% of Miami’s games and played 48.1% of the total minutes.

How does that compare to MVPs in other sports? Not favorably. In the NFL, John Elway played in 80% of the Denver Broncos’ games during his 1987 MVP season. In MLB, George Brett appeared in 72.2% of the Kansas City Royals’ games when he won MVP in 1980. In the NHL, Mario Lemieux played in 71.4% of games during his 1992-93 MVP season, and Bill Walton played in 70.7% of games during his 1977-78 NBA MVP campaign. Messi’s numbers pale in comparison.

Of course, soccer is different. Unlike most of those sports, soccer doesn’t allow free substitutions, and players like Brett could sit on the bench while their team was at bat. Still, the numbers highlight Messi’s limited availability, raising the question: Should he be celebrated for doing so much in so little time, or penalized for not being on the field more often?

Miami With and Without Messi

Looking at Miami’s record, the answer isn’t so clear-cut. With Messi, Miami went 12W-6D-1L, scoring 51 goals and conceding 26. That’s 2.7 goals per game, 58% possession, and a 2.21 points-per-game (PPG) pace. Without Messi, Miami still performed well, going 10W-2D-3L with 28 goals scored and 23 conceded. That’s 1.9 goals per game, 51% possession, and a 2.13 PPG pace.

In other words, Miami was more entertaining with Messi, but their record without him was still stellar. Over a full season, their Messi-less pace would have earned them 72 points—just shy of the New England Revolution’s record of 73 set in 2021 and good enough to win the Supporters’ Shield by six points. If Miami could win the Shield without Messi, is he really the MVP?

The Intangibles: Messi’s Impact Beyond the Field

Here’s where Messi’s case gets stronger. You can’t just remove Messi from Miami’s roster in a vacuum. His presence attracted other stars like Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. Without Messi, Miami likely wouldn’t have signed these players—or South American imports like Federico Redondo and Tomás Avilés. Without them, Miami might resemble a team like CF Montreal, fighting for a playoff spot rather than dominating the league.

Then there’s the financial impact. Messi’s arrival boosted sponsorships, ticket sales, and Apple TV subscriptions, benefiting not just Miami but the entire league. While these factors shouldn’t influence MVP voting, it’s hard to ignore the non-stop Messi marketing campaign and its subconscious effect on voters.

The Competition: Did Anyone Else Deserve It?

Another reason Messi stands out is the lack of a compelling alternative. Players like Evander and Golden Boot winner Christian Benteke (23 goals) had strong seasons but played for mediocre teams that either missed the playoffs (like Benteke’s D.C. United) or made early exits (like Evander’s Timbers). That leaves players like Hernández, Acosta, or LAFC’s Dénis Bouanga. While all had impressive seasons, none matched Messi’s impact or Miami’s success.

The Verdict

In the end, Messi’s combination of individual brilliance, team success, and league-wide impact makes him a deserving MVP. Yes, his limited availability raises questions, but his influence on and off the field is undeniable. For this season, the best player on the best team takes the crown.