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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>South American has had injury setbacks</li><li>Posted impressive goal &amp; assist numbers</li><li>Remains in the hunt for MLS Cup honours</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Why Lionel Messi is ‘top of the list’ for USMNT star in MLS MVP race – with Argentine icon turning Inter Miami from pretenders to contenders

<p>The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/inter-miami-superstar-and-mvp-candidate-lionel-messi-highlights-mls-nominees-for-2024-year-end-awards/blt43477884303c55bd" target="_blank">included on the list of hopefuls</a> looking to land a prestigious individual prize. Messi has missed a number of games through injury this season, but remains a match-altering presence when fully fit.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72;height: 40;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi has posted 17 goals and 10 assists through 18 MLS appearances, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/another-record-unstoppable-lionel-messi-inter-miami-superstar-mls-history-25th-goal-contribution/blt1d9869cb05253b25" target="_blank">more records being broken in the process</a>, and has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-lifts-trophy-46-inter-miami-superstar-most-decorated-player-all-time-inter-miami-supporters-shield-mls-2024/blta5661435124b5e01" target="_blank">helped Inter Miami to a historic Supporters’ Shield triumph</a> and standing as No.1 seeds in the MLS Cup play-offs.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Others may have played more games, in what is a 34-match campaign, but Ream has told Herons star and international colleague Julian Gressel on the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/tim-ream-on-why-messi-gave-him-the-stink-eye/id1733316694?i=1000672358620 " target="_blank"><em>Player/Manager</em></a> podcast of why Messi deserves to be recognised as the best: "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 got to be at the top of the list."</p>

WHAT REAM SAID

<p>Inter Miami could <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-want-mls-record-inter-miami-rewrite-history-books/blt148d13230ec4e72d" target="_blank">post the highest regular season points tally that MLS has ever seen</a>, with one fixture left on their schedule, and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-give-up-mls-record-trophy-no47-inter-miami-superstar-silverware-hunting-mode/blt2684756e6e9e25e5" target="_blank">Messi remains in the hunt for trophy No.47</a> in his record-shattering career. Fitness issues may, however, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-mls-mvp-award-inter-miami-taylor-twellman-debate/blt4ddac99136f37b4e" target="_blank">work against him when it comes to the distribution of MVP prizes</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Why Lionel Messi is ‘top of the list’ for USMNT star in MLS MVP race – with Argentine icon turning Inter Miami from pretenders to contenders | Goal.com English Qatar

USMNT star Tim Ream has explained why Inter Miami talisman Lionel Messi is “top of the list” when it comes to 2024 MVP contenders in MLS.