Lionel Messi Nominated for Third Straight MLS MVP Award

Lionel Messi, the captain of Inter Miami, has been nominated for the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) Most Valuable Player award. This nomination gives him the chance to make history by winning the award for a third consecutive year.

MLS announced the finalists for its Year-End Awards on Thursday. Messi, who previously won the MVP in 2024 and 2025, is up against four other players: Evander from FC Cincinnati, Guilherme from Houston Dynamo, Hany Mukhtar from Nashville SC, and Cavan Sullivan from Philadelphia Union.

Messi earned this nomination after a standout season, scoring 26 goals in 31 games, which also earned him the 2026 MLS Golden Boot for being the top scorer. He made history by being the first player to win the Golden Boot in back-to-back seasons and led his team with 17 assists.

Throughout the regular season, Messi also received the MLS Goal of the Matchday award seven times and was included in the MLS Team of the Matchday 13 times.

The finalists for the 2026 MLS Year-End Awards represent 15 different clubs. The winners will be announced during the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs. The finalists were chosen based on votes from club staff, players, and selected media members.

Voting for the MLS Goal of the Year and Save of the Year awards is currently open and will close soon. Other awards, including the MLS Best XI, will be revealed later.