Lionel Messi has transformed Major League Soccer (MLS) since his move to Inter Miami in July 2023 through a Bosman transfer. At 38 years old, Messi has consistently showcased his extraordinary talent, winning the Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for two consecutive years, in 2024 and 2025.
This ongoing dominance has prompted strong predictions from experts that Messi will continue to be the top performer and MVP in the league for the foreseeable future, highlighting his exceptional influence on the sport in the United States.
Expert Opinion Foresees Messi’s Continued MVP Reign
Former Wales international Robert Earnshaw, during an interview with GOAL, expressed confidence that Lionel Messi will keep claiming the MLS MVP title annually as long as he maintains his current performance level. Earnshaw pointed out that the decline expected at an athlete’s late-30s is not apparent with Messi, whose play remains extraordinary.
“As long as he is playing at the level he is playing at, absolutely. The reason I say that, it’s so easy to underestimate and just think of what we know from previous players when they hit those kind of ages, late-30s, there is a drop down. This is a player who is unbelievable. As a fan, as a neutral, looking at him just as a player, it is extraordinary,”
said Earnshaw, a former player for Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC, and Chicago Fire.
Skills That Set Messi Apart on the Field
Earnshaw elaborated on Messi’s unique combination of skills, which include his creativity, dribbling, passing, and goal-scoring abilities. He emphasized that Messi’s imagination and technical prowess remain unmatched by any other player in MLS, making him indispensable to his team and the entire league.
“It’s spectacular what we are able to see. He’s 38. He’s one of the best dribblers, he’s one of the best passers, one of the best creators, his imagination is better than anybody, he can score goals and finish. For as long as he continues that, he is going to continue winning the MVP, because he is the MVP. He is the MVP of the whole league,”
Earnshaw added.
Messi’s Role in Inter Miami’s Success
Beyond his individual achievements, Messi’s presence has dramatically elevated Inter Miami’s competitiveness and profile. Earnshaw remarked that without Messi, the club would not have secured its first major title in 30 months and suggested that the team’s current high standing and reputation are directly tied to Messi’s influence.
“When you are on that level, you really and truly lift a whole league, never mind your team. Put it this way, without him, Inter Miami don’t win their first title. Without him, Inter Miami are nowhere near the level when it comes to the attention and the aura that is at the club right now. He is the MVP and will continue to be,”
Earnshaw concluded.
Breaking Records and Leading by Example
Last December, Messi made history by becoming the first player in MLS to win back-to-back MVP awards. In the 2025 season, he outshined competitors including Anders Dreyer, Denis Bouanga, Evander, and Sam Surridge during the MVP vote. That year, Messi scored an impressive 29 goals and provided 19 assists across 28 regular-season matches for Inter Miami.
His performance in the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs was equally remarkable, delivering six goals and nine assists while spearheading Inter Miami to their maiden MLS Cup victory. This achievement further solidified Messi’s legacy as not just a star player but a transformative force within the league.
Looking Ahead: What Messi’s Continued Excellence Means for MLS
With Lionel Messi maintaining peak form despite his age, MLS fans and analysts anticipate his ongoing dominance in the league’s MVP awards. His talent continues to raise the standard for other players and underscores the growing appeal of MLS globally. As the league approaches key events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Messi’s inspiring performances are especially significant for both Inter Miami and the broader soccer community in the United States.
