Final candidates for MLS MVP, Newcomer of the Year, Coach of the Year and more revealed as Inter Miami duo Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi makes shortlist

Finalists for MLS' 2024 End-of-Season awards were announced Thursday, with winners set to be announced throughout the MLS Playoffs.

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi initially found himself nominated for 2024 league MVP, but is now a finalist for the award in his sophomore season. Teammate Luis Suarez is also a finalist for the prestigious accolade, while also being one of three final nominees for Newcomer of the Year.

Elsewhere, finalists for Goalkeeper of the Year, Defender of the Year, Coach of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and the Impact Player award were announced.

Reigning league MVP Lucho Acosta is not a finalist for the award in 2024, despite boasting a statline of 14 goals and 19 assists. Instead, a new winner will be crowned for MLS' most important individual regular season award.

The winners for all of MLS' year end awards are voted upon by a shared one-third split between MLS club technical staff, MLS first-team players, and select media members - with all sharing an equal 33.33 percent split.

15 MLS clubs are represented among finalists, while the Herons lead nominees with six-total, while the Columbus Crew narrowly trail with five of their own.

Landon Donovan MLS MVP

Christian Benteke (D.C. United), Evander (Portland Timbers), Cucho Hernández (Columbus Crew), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF), Luis Suárez (Inter Miami CF)

Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year

Chris Armas (Colorado Rapids), Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino (Inter Miami CF), Wilfried Nancy (Columbus Crew)

Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award

Andrew Farrell (New England Revolution), Darlington Nagbe (Columbus Crew), Ilie Sánchez (LAFC)

MLS Comeback Player of the Year

Robin Lod (Minnesota United FC), Maxi Moralez (New York City FC), Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls)

MLS Defender of the Year

Jordi Alba (Inter Miami CF), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Jackson Ragen (Seattle Sounders FC)

MLS Goalkeeper of the Year

Kristijan Kahlina (Charlotte FC), Hugo Lloris (LAFC), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew)

MLS Newcomer of the Year

Luca Orellano (FC Cincinnati), Gabriel Pec (LA Galaxy), Luis Suárez (Inter Miami CF)

MLS Young Player of the Year

Diego Gómez (Inter Miami CF), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Cristian Olivera (LAFC)

The Round One of the Best-of-3 series of the 2024 MLS Playoffs begins Friday evening. Inter Miami and Messi kick things off at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, FL when they host Atlanta United.