Lionel Messi, Christian Benteke and Riqui Puig highlight team as 2024 MLS Best XI announced

Lionel Messi has received his first individual MLS postseason award as he was named to the league's Best XI this season.

MLS has announced their Best XI for the 2024 campaign, highlighting the top performers from the league in 2024.

Picking out three defenders, four midfielders, four forward and the top goalkeeper, the group is made up of some of MLS' most elite and talented players.

The 2024 Best XI includes 10 members of the 2024 MLS All-Star squad, three individual award winners in MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Kristijan Kahlina, Golden Boot winner Christian Benteke and Defender of the Year Steven Moreira.

Goalkeeper: Kristijan Kahlina (Charlotte FC)

Defenders: Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Yeimar Gomez (Seattle Sounders), Jordi Alba (Inter Miami)

Midfielders: Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati), Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy), Evander (Portland Timbers)

Attackers: Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Christian Benteke (D.C. United), Cucho Hernandez (Columbus Crew)

This is the first nomination for all three of Benteke, Messi and Puig - all of whom excelled in their respective departments in 2024.

The Belgian forward claimed the top scorer award during the regular season, while Messi led the Herons to the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield and Puig, meanwhile, took the Galaxy to 2024 MLS Cup where they are set to compete for their first title in a decade.

In total, there are seven first-time nominees, with eight different countries being represented in the XI and nine different teams. Miami and the Crew led all of MLS with two nominees each.

MLS Cup is set to be played Saturday evening, with the Los Angeles Galaxy hosting the New York Red Bulls in the league's championship game. The match kicks off at 4pm ET at Dignity Health Sports Park, as the No. 1 seed Galaxy look ato avoid an upset by No. 7 RBNY.