File photo of Lionel Messi.© AFP
Lionel Messi was named Major League Soccer’s most valuable player on Friday after leading Inter Miami to a record-breaking regular season campaign. The Argentine superstar was given the honor after his performances helped Miami achieve a record regular season points total, earning the club its first-ever Supporters’ Shield. The 37-year-old maestro finished the regular season with a league-leading 36 goal contributions after scoring 20 goals and 16 assists. Messi received the MVP award despite an injury-hit campaign in which he has made only 19 appearances this year.
Miami and Messi’s season ultimately ended when the team suffered an unexpected first round loss in the MLS Cup playoffs.
Messi is the 10th South American to win the MVP, and the fifth Argentinian after Luciano Acosta, Diego Valeri, Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Christian Gómez.
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