Messi wins second MLS MVP award

Lionel Messi won his second consecutive MLS MVP on Tuesday, capping a year in which he helped guide Inter Miami to its first MLS Cup title, reported Xinhua.

Messi received 70.43 percent of the total vote - which included the media, players and club technical staff - to finish ahead of finalists Anders Dreyer, Denis Bouanga, Evander and Sam Surridge.

"It was a long year, with many matches and a lot of travel, but also a historic year for the club, as it was the first time we won the MLS Cup," the Argentine said upon receiving the award.

"It's a great club, still quite young, and being able to achieve what we did was wonderful, very special."

The 38-year-old forward scored 29 goals and provided 19 assists in 28 regular-season matches. He added another six goals and nine assists in six post-season outings.

His two assists in Saturday's final were instrumental as Inter Miami clinched the title with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion becomes the first player to win back-to-back MLS MVP awards.

He is the second two-time winner, joining former United States international midfielder Predrag Radosavljevic, who was awarded the accolade in 1997 and 2003.