FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Three days after leading Inter Miami to its first MLS Cup trophy and being awarded the game’s MVP trophy, Lionel Messi made history again.

As expected, the 38-year-old Argentine icon was named the league’s MVP for the second year in a row, something no other player has done.

There was never any doubt Messi would win the award over the other finalists — Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Evander (FC Cincinnati) and Sam Surridge (Nashville SC).

Messi’s finished his historic regular season with 48 goal contributions (29 goals, 19 assists) across 28 matches, the second most in a single season in league history, including at least three contributions in nine matches — also a league record.

He is the only player in league history to record at least 36 goal contributions in a season multiple times (2024, 2025) and is the second player to lead the league in both goals scored (29) and assists (19), joining Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco in 2015 (22 goals, 16 assists).

After his spectacular regular season, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner went on to set a playoff record with 15 goal contributions (six goals, nine assists) through six games.

League commissioner Don Garber flew in from New York and was on hand at Chase Stadium on a drizzly Tuesday morning to present Messi the MLS MVP trophy during the opening ceremony of the Messi Cup, a new international U16 tournament launched by Messi’s company.

The five-day competition includes the youth teams of Inter Miami, Barcelona FC, Manchester City, River Plate, Inter, Newell’s Old Boys, Atlético de Madrid and Chelsea.

Messi, a walking billboard who generates interest and revenue wherever he goes, brought attention to his tournament by accepting the MVP award there.

“Thank you very much for this award, it is very special for all we lived, a long year with a lot of games and a lot of travel, but also a very historic year for the club,” Messi said on a stage at midfield. “It was the first time we won the MLS in the club’s short history and everyone could enjoy it. I am grateful to win this award again. I will share it with all my teammates.”

He apologized for the gloomy weather to the small crowd that gathered.

Garber said: “Your [club] logo says Freedom to Dream and that is what makes Leo so special; he is not just the greatest player on the field, but a player who cares so much about the development of the game. Congratulations on the Messi Cup.”

The commissioner later told reporters: “I said to Leo on the stage, which I say to him every time I see him, that it’s really a great honor to have him in our league. He’s taken the league to new heights. He decided to be here, and now the conversations with other great, world-class players are part of the global conversation when players are out of contract or thinking about their future.”

Garber also said that the TV ratings for Saturday’s MLS Cup Final had not come out yet, but it will be the largest audience of all time.

“Inter Miami is a global brand; they’re going on a world tour, and we’ve had a lot of world-class players in our league, but there’s only one Leo Messi,” Garber said.

Asked if he is surprised Messi is still winning MVP awards at his age, the commissioner said: “You have players like Tom Brady, who play in their 40s and LeBron [James] who’s having a pretty darn good season. When I gave Leo a little hug, it seems like he’s stronger now than he even was a couple of years ago when I met him.”

On Friday, Messi is scheduled to travel to India and embark on a four-city G.O.A.T. India Tour.

The tour officially begins Saturday in Kolkata, followed by a visit to Hyderabad. He will be in Mumbai the next day and end the tour in New Delhi on Monday, where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his home.

The Landon Donovan MLS MVP award has been presented since 1996 and was voted on by MLS club technical staff, media, and current MLS players. Below is a breakdown of the voting results for this year:

— Messi got 83.05% of the media vote, 55.17% of the player vote, 73.08% of the club vote and 70.43% of the total vote.

— Dreyer got 6.78% of the media vote, 18.97% of the player vote, 7.69% of the club vote and 11.15% of the total vote.

— Bouanga got 3.39% of the media vote, 6.9% of the player vote, 11.54% of the club vote and 7.27% of the total vote.

— Evander got 2.26% of the media vote, 12.07% of the player vote, 0% of the club vote and 4.78% of the total vote.

— Surridge got 1.69% of the media vote, 1.72% of the player vote, 3.85% of the club vote and 2.42% of the total vote.

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