Former soccer player Sacha Kljestan has backed Lionel Messi to be among the favourites for this year’s MLS MVP award.
Ahead of the weekend’s action getting underway, Messi already has 14 goals and nine assists to his name this year.
Now, when sharing his MVP rankings, Kljestan has listed the Argentine as the most likely to win the award in 2026.
He put Messi first in his top-five list and wrote: “Messi and Evander are again locked in a neck-and-neck battle for MVP. And while it feels impossible to choose one right now, I am giving Messi the slight edge.
“He’s got more goals (14) than his fellow No. 10, and he’s helped his team climb higher in the standings. Despite some struggles right now, Inter Miami are a contender to win MLS Cup again. And Messi looks the favourite to take home his third MVP in a row.”
Lionel Messi could become three-time MLS MVP
To date, Messi has already won two MLS MVP awards, clinching the title in 2024 and 2025.
Should he gain the crown this year as well, he would become the first player in the league’s history to win it three times.
Aside from Messi, Preki (1997 and 2003) is the only other player to be named MLS MVP on more than one occasion.
Meanwhile, another win for the South American would mean Inter Miami have had a player win the award three times.
Only D.C. United (4) have more MVP wins by team at present.
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