Lionel Messi beats Prem cult heroes to win MLS MVP award after Inter Miami chief’s big update on icon’s retirement plans

LIONEL MESSI has won the MLS MVP award after a stunning season with Inter Miami – and could be set for more with David Beckham’s club.

Messi led Miami to the top of the Eastern Conference and helped them lift their first ever Supporters’ Shield by having the best overall record during the regular season.

Lionel Messi won the MLS MVP Award after a stunning season with Inter MiamiX @InterMiamiCF

Messi beat three former Premier League aces for the MLS awardAFP

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also registered a staggering 21 goals and 11 assists in 22 appearances after missing almost two months of action as he joined Argentina in the Copa America where he got injured.

That led the star forward to the Landon Donovan MVP Award, which he won with 38.43 per cent of the vote.

The Barcelona legend beat runner-up and ex-Watford ace Cucho Hernandez of Columbus Crew (33.70 per cent) as well as Portland Timbers star Evander, who came third with 9.24 per cent.

Ex-Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke won 7.10 per cent of the vote for DC United, while Messi’s team-mate and Reds legend Luis Suarez finished fifth with 2.71 per cent.

Messi said in front of Inter’s young academy players: “Truly, it is an honour for me to receive this award from all of you. It’s a source of pride to watch you all train.

“I’m very happy to be here every day. I’m very happy to be in this city, in this club that is growing…

“It’s a pleasure to see you grow day by day. I invite you to keep fighting and striving for your dreams.”

Messi couldn’t lead Miami all the way to the MLS Cup as they suffered a shock elimination to Atlanta United in the first round of the play-offs.

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The Argentina captain’s contract runs out next December, but co-owner Jorge Mas is “very confident” that his star player will sign a new deal.

Mas said: “As I said before, I’m very confident that he’ll be opening our new stadium in ’26.

“I’ll be sitting with Leo, you know, now at some point in the off-season.

“And I’m optimistic that as long as Leo’s health holds up, that we’ll be seeing him in pink.”

Messi overcame runner-up and Columbus Crew star Cucho HernandezGetty

Messi also beat ex-Liverpool and Aston Villa ace Christian Benteke of DC UnitedAP