Best player in the league? Lionel Messi ticks MLS MVP box ‘by far’ as USMNT star Julian Gressel explains why he would have voted for Inter Miami talisman if allowed to do so

The Argentine’s club colleagues in Florida are not allowed to vote for him in that poll, with the efforts of others having to be considered. Messi is, however, a serious contender when it comes to claiming most valuable player recognition in 2024.

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He has registered 20 goals for Inter Miami en route to seeing them claim the Supporters’ Shield and a record-setting tally of points. Messi has also laid on 11 assists, with USMNT star Gressel saying of his MVP: “If I could vote for him, I would’ve voted for him. Because for me, the MVP stands for the best player in the league, and Leo is that by far. There are other people out there who have a definition of MVP maybe that makes the team better, or that a team can’t live without. To me, Leo is that too. You see today: he comes in and scores a hat trick, you know? So for me, he’s my MVP.”

Another USMNT hopeful, Benjamin Cremaschi, agrees with that assessment. He has said when asked if Messi deserves the title of best player in MLS this season: “I think so. Obviously Leo, the truth is he shows it every time he steps on the pitch. He is a player who is at another level, which shows more than a lot. Obviously, we also have Luis Suarez, who is there to be nominated. So hopefully someone from the club can win it.”

Inter Miami have completed their regular season campaign – with Messi bagging an 11-minute hat-trick in their final day mauling of the New England Revolution. They are waiting to discover whether it will be CF Montreal or Atlanta United first up in the MLS Cup play-offs.