Major League Soccer announced Lionel Messi as the winner of the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award on Friday. The Messi MLS MVP reaction from fans has been mixed with some upset that a player who appeared in only 19 games got the award.
The vote for MVP is done so by players in the league, select media members and club technical staff. After all the votes were accounted for the Inter Miami star edged out Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernández.
Messi received 38.4% of the vote while Cucho accounted for 33.7%.
Messi vs. Cucho 2024 stats
- Messi: 19 games, 20 goals, 10 assists
- Cucho: 27 games, 19 goals, 10 assists
Christian Benteke won the Golden Boot award with 23 goals in 30 appearances. The Belgian finished fourth in the MVP voting with 7.1% of the vote. This was just ahead of Luis Suárez who had 2.2% of the votes.
Messi came out on top. pic.twitter.com/xUtWYV4Rzf
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 6, 2024
Here was the reaction from fans.
Messi MLS MVP reaction
♂️ it’s rigged
— 父 R£ムP£R (@Reap_it) December 6, 2024
I'd still go with @CuchoHernandez if I'm building a new team
— tomuky.eth (@tomuky) December 6, 2024
top scorer in the league ❌️
top assist provider ❌️
Win the league ❌️
MVP ✅️ pic.twitter.com/DP8JMmcASJ— Peché Africa (@pmcafrica) December 6, 2024
- wasn't the top scorer
- wasn't the top assists provider
- didn't win the league
- missed 3 quarters of the season due to injury
- his absence didn't make an impact on Miami
- his return handed his team a defeat from the hands of lowest seeded team in play-offsHe's all PR— Muneeb (@Muneeb_08) December 6, 2024
— Rich (@richphotoio) December 6, 2024
MVP for the corporate #MLS structure, not the most valuable player for a team in MLS.
— AndrewG (@AUFC_Flyer) December 6, 2024
Tbh Deserved and im not trying to trigger anyone. Looking at the stats if he's healthy all year he sets records and I dont think anyone can argue that. even at 7-10 less games he has the stats as the best player on the best team. Thats MVP to me even though I think if Lucho was…
— Brad Meyer (@Bradley_Meyer10) December 6, 2024
suarez carrying that miami team while messi was out half the season and ONLY getting 2% of the vote is crazy
how can you be “MVP” when your teammate is literally an MVP candidate— cucho era ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@mufcvip8) December 6, 2024
Despite Messi missing 15 games this season due to injuries and international duty, Inter Miami still thrived winning the Supporters’ Shield with a record number of points. The Herons won 10 of the 15 games Messi was absent for, losing three and drawing two.
Messi and Miami’s season ended in shocking fashion with a first-round playoff exit vs. Atlanta United.
Introducing the 2024 Landon Donovan @MLS Most Valuable Player - Leo Messi Inspirando a la @InterMiamiAcad dentro y fuera de la cancha ✨ pic.twitter.com/UQGnCb41Ht
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) December 6, 2024