MLS MVP rankings: Christian Benteke's stock climbs, Lionel Messi's sensational return, Riqui Puig makes a case

Simply put, he's incredible every time he takes the pitch. It's impact after impact, it's performance after performance. Yes, he has only played 14 matches for Inter Miami during the regular season. Yes, he missed three months, but somehow, someway, though, he has 14 goals and 14 assists during that run.

It's stupendous, it's beyond sensational. He is legitimately averaging two goal-contributions per-game. That's a higher rate than any other player across Major League Soccer.

Messi may be viewed as undeserving by some, specifically due to the reason he has not played as many matches as others in the league, but with him on the pitch, the Herons are a better team. He has an aura about him that elevates every single person around him. He raises the standard and quality of Inter Miami and exudes the confidence expected of a player who has won 44 club trophies.

Although Miami was able to keep the ship moving without Messi, they aren't Supporters' Shield leaders or title contenders without him.

The term MVP means Most Valuable Player. For Inter Miami, its hands-down Lionel Messi.

Christian Benteke is an anomaly in the nation's capital. He's far-ahead the best player in their squad, and one of the only reasons they are alive and well in the hunt for an MLS playoff spot.

The MLS Golden Boot leader has 19 goals and six assists in 25 matches played this season. The ex-Liverpool player averaged at least one goal-contribution per match for DC, despite the club only having eight wins so far this season.

Benteke has attained a 100 percent scoring mark from the penalty spot this campaign, scoring all three attempts, while from the open field, he's converted 24.7 percent of his shots for the Black and Red.

As clinical as they come, the former Belgium international has surpasses his xG of 16.83 this campaign, too, with nearly three more strikes than expected.

He's a pure goal-scorer, and in terms of valuable players, D.C. are nowhere without him.

The reigning MLS MVP, Acosta has been nothing short of sensational for FC Cincinnati this season, with 11 goals and 18 assists from an attacking midfield role. In 27 appearances for the Orange and Blue, he's managed 29 goal-contributions, helping them to second in the Eastern Conference ahead of Matchday 34.

He has been averaging more than one goal-contribution per match for FCC this season, and is arguable performing at a higher level than what won him league MVP in 2023. On top of that, he's led FCC in big-matches against conference opponents this season.

In July, he recorded a goal and an assists in a 6-1 throbbing of Inter Miami, and roughly one month earlier, scored twice and notched an assist in a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Union. Most importantly, though, he assisted the opener and scored the game-winner in FCC's Spring victory over arch-rivals Columbus Crew - who narrowly trail them by two points in the Eastern Conference now.

He's a big-game player who can be relied on time after time for Pat Noonan, and soon? He may just be able to represent the U.S. men's national team come the flip of the calendar year.

He's absolutely made a case to be crowned for the second year in a row.

Puig has spearheaded the Galaxy's campaign on 2024, lifting them from rock-bottom in 2023, to legitimate Supporters' Shield and Western Conference title contenders this season. The ex-Barcelona man has found his groove with one of MLS' most storied-clubs, and now, he's put himself in a position as a frontrunner for 2024 MLS MVP.

From a central midfield role, he's scored 10 goals and notched 13 assists, but what goes unnoticed is his performance in the middle of the park. He leads the league in touches on the ball with 2,811, with an 88.1 passing percentage throughout the 25 matches he's featured in this season, 24 of which have been starts.

On top of that, he's surpassed his xG of 7.65, created 92 total scoring attempts for the Galaxy and has helped turn them into one of MLS' most threatening sides.

He's been beyond impressive, and in an LA team with standouts all across the attack, he's been their most important player.

Cucho doesn't have the flashy numbers some of the other attackers on this list have. However, he might be the most important player in MLS at the moment. He's led the Columbus Crew to a CONCACAF Champions Cup final, helped them to their first-ever Leagues Cup title and has them sitting third in the Eastern Conference.

After lifting the trophy that pit Liga MX sides against MLS' best, Crew manager Wilfried Nancy had high praise for the Colombian forward.

"He showed who he is," Nancy said. "The range that he has to score. ... His passion that he has. He provoked things for the other goal, but this is who he is. Behind the scenes, we try to help him and to give him tools to get more consistent and to get better, because he wants to be better. So, this is a reward for him."

Cucho has 14 goals and 11 assists in 22 appearances, and has averaged 1.13 goal-contributions per match so far throughout the regular season.

He scores, he assists, he makes things happen and is a reliable big-game player. For someone who has led his team to two Cup finals this season and has a third to play in with the Campeones Cup next week, Cucho has a legitimate case for MVP.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Evander Ferreira, Portland Timbers
  • 14 goals, 18 assists
• Luis Suarez, Inter Miami
  • 17 goals, six assists
• Chicho Arango, Real Salt Lake
  • 17 goals, 11 assists
• Denis Bouanga, LAFC
  • 17 goals, nine assists