Lionel Messi: The Inter Miami player triumphs over Luis Suarez to win the MLS MVP award for 2024.

In a fascinating twist of football fate, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed a desire to offer a ten-year contract to a 23-year-old Kevin De Bruyne. However, it appears that discussions regarding this potential deal are not currently on the table. The prospect of securing the Belgian maestro for a decade would undoubtedly be a dream scenario for Guardiola, who has long relied on De Bruyne’s exceptional talents to drive his team’s success.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Lionel Messi has added yet another accolade to his illustrious career by clinching the Landon Donovan MVP Award for the 2024 Major League Soccer season. The Argentine superstar outshone notable contenders such as Luis Suarez and Christian Benteke, showcasing his remarkable prowess on the pitch.

Messi’s statistics speak volumes; he netted an impressive 20 goals and provided 16 assists in just 19 appearances for Inter Miami. His contributions were pivotal in propelling the team to the summit of the MLS Eastern Conference standings, although their playoff journey was cut short by a defeat to Atlanta United in the first round. Nevertheless, Messi did manage to secure silverware in his debut season, guiding Miami to victory in the Supporters’ Shield.

At 37 years of age, Messi’s trophy cabinet continues to overflow, boasting an astonishing collection that includes eight Ballon d’Or awards, six European Golden Shoes, ten La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions League trophies, and the coveted 2022 World Cup.

The award presentation was a heartwarming affair, with over 250 young players from Miami’s academy, along with Messi’s own children, forming the letters ‘MVP’ to celebrate the occasion. “Truly, it is an honour for me to receive this award from all of you,” Messi remarked, addressing the academy players.

He continued, “I don’t judge on a penalty. 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.”

MLS commissioner Don Garber also weighed in on Messi’s impact, highlighting the significance of having such a global icon in the league. “Unless you’re living in the world of global football, it’s hard to imagine the overall appeal and the massive popularity and stardom that Leo Messi has,” Garber stated. “I mean, he is Michael Jackson meeting Taylor Swift – and he’s playing in our league. I will say it exceeded my expectations.”

Garber expressed his hope that Messi remains in the league for the long haul, noting, “I chatted with his wife Wednesday night and I said hi to his kids. They seem very happy here. That’s a good thing. To see a player and their family actually happy is what it’s all about.”

In a competitive voting process that included players, technical staff, and select media members, Messi triumphed with 38.43% of the overall vote, surpassing Columbus Crew forward Cucho Hernandez, who garnered 33.70%. This achievement places Messi alongside former MVPs Carlos Vela and Sebastian Giovinco as one of the only players in MLS history to record at least 20 goals and 15 assists in a single season.

Looking ahead, Messi’s long-time international teammate Javier Mascherano has taken the reins as head coach of Inter Miami, succeeding Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino. Mascherano will lead the team into the Club World Cup next summer, a tournament they qualified for through the home nation route. The future certainly looks bright for both Messi and Miami as they continue to make waves in the world of football.