Is Lionel Messi locked in for 2024 MVP? The top 10 contenders to challenge Inter Miami's star man for MLS' biggest individual prize - ranked

More likely than not, there will be a first-year player in the mix. The question is which one?

The Seattle Sounders are very good, and Pedro de la Vega could light it up in that team. Luis Muriel and Emil Forsberg are Europe-proven and are joining teams that are built for them to thrive in the New York Red Bulls and Orlando City, respectively. FC Dallas spent big money on Petar Musa, while the Chicago Fire did the same on Hugo Cuypers.

Any of the above could be in the race, as all of the players mentioned could theoretically put up monster numbers. If there's one newcomer to bet on, though, it's likely a familiar face that's now in pink...

This is a longshot for several reasons, but it is worth discussing.

First of all, we have no clue what to make of Suarez this season. He looked great in Brazil for Gremio, but we all know that his knees could go at any point. His fitness will need to be managed, which means he probably won't play or score enough to really be in the MVP conversation.

Secondly, if anyone on Miami is going to win this award, it's probably Messi. If Suarez does score, more likely than not, it'll be from a Messi assist. As a result, it feels almost impossible for Suarez to beat his long-time friend to the prize.

Still, there's a scenario where Suarez puts up a record-breaking amount of goals against MLS defenses that have no idea how to cope with him. Because of that, even if it's a longshot, he should be considered a contender.

You won't see too many central midfielders in the mix for MVP, but Herrera is more than good enough to break the mold.

The Mexico international helped lift the Houston Dynamo to a U.S. Open Cup trophy last season, and it can be argued that no midfielder is more influential for their team. The Dynamo aren't the sexiest team and Herrera wouldn't be the sexiest MVP candidate, but there are few players in MLS more important to their team than Herrera.

A recent injury could impact his candidacy, but if its not as bad as the Dynamo fear, he'll be key.

No player contributes to a higher percentage of his team's goals than Nashville SC star Mukhtar. We'll have to see what type of numbers he can run up this season, though.

The 2022 MLS MVP has 58 goals and 38 assists in just 113 appearances, a ridiculous number all things considered. He has some help arriving (finally) in former Premier League striker Sam Surridge, but it remains to be seen how that impacts Mukhtar's contributions in the long-term.

Will Surridge eat away at some of Mukhtar's goal contributions, easing the pressure on him? Or will he be just another weapon in the attack for another massive season?

The LA Galaxy are entering the season with a plan. That plan? Give Puig the weapons he needs to succeed.

Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil have been brought in to make the most of Puig's talents, which the Galaxy haven't quite been able to do so far. The club's lack of wing production has been their downfall for several seasons. Now, there are dynamic stars in the attack that should be able to take advantage of Puig's midfield magic.

MLS is a No.10s league, as evidenced by several recent MVP winners. Puig might be the most talented playmaker of the bunch, and so if the pieces fit around him, he could put up big numbers.

Will Almada even finish the season in MLS? It's too soon to say. Europe is coming calling at some point, for sure, but if he does stick around for the full year, Almada should dominate.

He just keeps getting better and better, and is facing a big year for club and country. Almada is set to join Argentina for the Olympics this year, and impressive performances in France could add a few million to his transfer fee. Because of that, Atlanta may hold onto him for a bit, but we'll have to see how long they can keep him in the league before a giant comes calling.

MVP voters love goals, and Greek star Giakoumakis could easily end up being the best pure goalscorer in MLS this season.

He's already won Golden Boots in Scotland and the Netherlands, and his debut season for Atlanta wasn't half bad either! The 29-year-old scored 19 goals for the Five Stripes in his first MLS campaign, and there's no reason to believe he'll slow down this campaign.

If he can continue to score at that rate, Giakoumakis will be in the MVP mix for sure.

Bouanga was last season's Golden Boot winner, scoring 20 MLS goals as part of a 38-goal campaign in all competitions. There are some uncertainties around how he will fare in 2024, though.

The big question is what LAFC will look like as they potentially enter a post-Carlos Vela era. It feels like there are still moves to be made, and they may come in the summer, but as the season kicks-off, we'll have to see if Bouanga will have the support he needs to put up the huge numbers he did last season.

Bouanga's own future is also a bit uncertain as transfer rumors have swirled throughout the offseason. if he stays, though, he could really push for legend status in just his second full season.

The reigning and defending MVP, Acosta is one of the best playmakers in MLS. However, history is against him when it comes to the 2024 race.

Only one player, Preki, has claimed two MLS MVP awards, and those came six years apart. For Acosta to convince voters for a second consecutive year, he'll have to go supersonic.

Him doing so is not out of the question, though. Defending Supporter's Shield winners FC Cincinnati will likely be really, really good again, and Acosta will be a big reason why. So, despite the history, don't write him off.

If not for Messi, then Hernandez would be the clear MVP favorite heading into 2024.

Fresh off an MLS Cup-winning campaign, the Columbus Crew star has solidified his place as the league's most dynamic No.9. He scored 16 goals and assisted 11 more last season, and it seems he's only getting better.

Both the Colombian and the Crew have the potential to be scary this season. With an MLS Cup already on his resume, it seems Cucho is just starting to make league history.