Messi headlines 23-player MLS MVP shortlist

Lionel Messi is one of 23 players to be nominated for the 2024 MLS MVP award, being joined on the shortlist by Inter Miami team-mate Luis Suarez.

Messi is considered the leading candidate to win the league’s top individual prize after scoring 17 goals and contributing 10 assists in just 18 regular-season matches this year.

The Argentina legend has missed large chunks of the campaign through injury, recently sitting out two months with an ankle problem he sustained while representing his country in the Copa America final.

Yet only four players – D.C. United’s Christian Benteke (23), Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga, the Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernandez (both 19) and Suarez (18) – have outscored him this term, and he also sits joint-eighth in the assist charts.

Suarez is the other Miami player to be nominated for the prize, having put himself in Golden Boot contention in his first season in the United States.

The Uruguayan’s 18 league goals have come from chances with a total expected goals (xG) value of 12.04, giving him an overperformance of 5.96.

Only New York City’s Alonso Martinez (6.13, 16 goals from 9.87 xG) and Messi (6.08, 17 from 10.92 xG) have overperformed their underlying figures by a greater margin.

Suarez is also up for the league’s Newcomer of the Year award, alongside players including Hugo Lloris of LAFC and the Galaxy’s leading scorer Gabriel Pec.

Last season’s MVP, FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta, is in the running for the top prize once more after providing more direct goal involvements (30, 14 goals, 16 assists) than any other player in the league.

With Miami winning the Supporters’ Shield and remaining on course to break the league’s single-season points record (73 by the 2021 New England Revolution), head coach Gerardo Martino has been nominated for the Coach of the Year award.

The Colorado Rapids’ Chris Armas, Greg Vanney of the LA Galaxy and the Columbus Crew’s Wilfried Nancy are considered among the other leading contenders.