MLS MVP rank: Lionel Messi the clear frontrunner, but can Evander, Hany Mukhtar or someone else make a push?

No. 10 - Nico Fernandez, NYCFC: The Pigeons must have been delighted to hold onto one of MLS's most valuable attacking players this summer.

No. 9 - Cavan Sullivan, Philadelphia Union: The Union's turnaround wasn't Sullivan's doing alone, but he has been immense for Philly since cracking the starting XI

No. 8 - Carles Gil, New England Revolution: Leads the league in chances created. Enough said.

No. 7 - Sam Surridge, Nashville SC: Seems to score every time he's on the pitch. If only he could be out there more often... Nashville might be even further ahead in the Supporters' Shield race.

No. 6 - Petar Musa, FC Dallas: Only Lionel Messi has scored more goals.

2026 MLS Stats: 14 goals, eight assists in 26 matches

The case: It's been a bad year for LAFC. Everything towards the end of last season suggested that the Southern California side would be top of the West this year - albeit with some potential growing pains from a new coach. Instead, they find themselves scrapping for home-field advantage in the playoffs. That's not the worst thing in the world, but this team really should be better.

And the only reason they're not falling out of the picture altogether? A Gabonese winger who cannot stop scoring goals. Inter Miami reportedly made the cheekiest of plays for Bounaga before the season. But he stayed put. And he has shown why he is so, so crucial to this team. 14 goals, eight assists, and the second most shots on target in the league, Bouanga is keeping LAFC afloat - and could fire them deep into the playoffs.

Also, this:

2026 MLS stats: 14 goals, eight assists in 24 appearances

The case: How many had Guilherme down as the signing of the season before the campaign started? He seemed like a tidy piece of business for the ambitious Dynamo, but few would've had him pegged as the man to turn their fortunes around in full. Well, it's not quite that simple - this team is much improved back to front. But Guilherme does give Houston a real cutting edge.

Guilherme was more creator than striker in his mid-20s, but in recent years, he has rediscovered his shooting boots. He bagged 14 last year for Santos in all competitions, and has equalled that mark thus far - with plenty of season left to play. Perhaps more important, though, is his defensive work. He's in the 97th percentile in defensive contributions, 100th for interceptions, and 96th in ball recoveries. Guilherme does it all.

2026 MLS stats: 13 goals, 12 assists in 23 appearances

The case: Evander is fun. There's a real samba flair to his game, and a delightful effortlessness to it, too. Yes, this is a league in which the floaty, interesting No. 10 can still thrive. Evander is the embodiment of that. There's a key distinction here, though. Sometimes those floaty No. 10s don't really do much for their actual team. Evander is one of those that does. FC Cincinnati have problems everywhere. Their defensive record is pretty dire.

But Evander, the man who still watches Ronaldinho highlights when he's bored and eats Acai Bowls on game day, continues to bash the ball into the net week in, week out. There is an art in kicking the ball hard and making it look very easy. Cincy's main man does it like few others.

2026 MLS stats: 20 goals, 13 assists in 23 games

The case: Who else could it be, really? Messi might not be the player he once was. He might not be the player he was 12 months ago. But he is still one of the best in the world, and the best to ever grace a soccer field. And even publicly grieving the death of his father, the Argentine has been magical for Inter Miami. His stat line makes for ridiculous reading.

He doesn't do much else these days. He doesn't really pretend to do any defensive work anymore. And it's unlikely we will see another version of this wonderful footballer emerge. But until he hangs up his boots, there will not be a better player in this league. The MVP award is his to lose.