Inter Miami superstar and MVP candidate Lionel Messi highlights MLS nominees for 2024 year-end awards

The 2024 year-end MLS award nominees have been announced, with voting set to open on Oct. 7 and run through Oct. 21.

The list is highlighted by a number of prominent players for the MVP award, including Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, Columbus Crew's Cucho Hernandez and LA Galaxy's Riqui Puig.

Voting consists of three groups, with each earning one-third of the final vote. MLS players, MLS club technical staff and select local and national media members will vote.

To qualify for selection as league MVP, candidates must have played 1,000 minutes across the regular season in 2024.

The five frontrunners of the award are Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, Portland Timbers Evander, Columbus Crew's Cucho Hernandez, FC Cincinnati's Lucho Acosta and LA Galaxy's Riqui Puig.

In total, there are 34 total players available for selection. The reigning league MVP is FCC's Acosta.

MLS head coach or interim managers who have been on the touchline for at least five games this season are eligible for nomination.

All told, 22 managers have been nominated, but only one can be selected. The five frontrunners for the award are the Crew's Wilfried Nancy, Miami's Gerardo "Tata" Martino, LA Galaxy's Greg Vanney, FCC's Pat Noonan and Colorado Rapids boss Chris Armas.

The 2023 winner of the award was Noonan, who is looking to claim it for the second-straight year.

This award is given to a player with previous professional experience, but made their MLS debut in 2024.

In total, 31 players are eligible for selection. The five frontrunners are Miami's Luis Suarez, LA's Gabriel Pec, Portland Timbers forward Jonathan Rodriguez, FC Dallas striker Petar Musa and FCC wingback Luca Orellano.

In addition to the three marquee awards above, a handful of other year-end awards are handed out by MLS. Those include: Young Player of the year, Defender of the year, Goalkeeper of the year, Comeback Player of the year, Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award, Referee of the year and Assistant Referee of the year, all of which will be voted on, as well.

Decision Day on Oct. 19 is looming as the regular season comes to a close. The Western Conference has all its postseason contenders already locked in, but seeding is still up for grabs. The East, however, is still alive.

The two final playoff spots are still up for grabs, with four teams competing.