MLS superlatives: Who is stopping Lionel Messi from winning MVP?

February 20, 2026 - 05:47

As the Major League Soccer season progresses, the race for the Most Valuable Player award is heating up, with several standout performers positioning themselves as legitimate challengers to Inter Miami's global icon, Lionel Messi. While Messi's unparalleled talent and impact remain the league's headline story, his candidacy is not without hurdles, including his participation in international tournaments which could limit his regular-season appearances.

The conversation for the league's top individual honor now prominently includes other exceptional talents. LAFC's Denis Bouanga, the reigning Golden Boot winner, continues to be an offensive force, relentlessly finding the back of the net. Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati's dynamic playmaker Luciano Acosta, the 2023 MVP, is orchestrating another superb campaign, driving his team's success with creativity and vision. Columbus Crew's Cucho Hernández also demands attention, combining lethal finishing with relentless energy to keep the defending champions in contention.

Beyond the MVP discussion, the landscape for other annual awards is taking shape. The competition for Newcomer of the Year is particularly fierce, featuring high-profile arrivals and emerging young stars making an immediate impact. Simultaneously, the early candidate for the season's most disappointing signing appears to be a high-cost acquisition who has, so far, failed to deliver on the pitch, struggling to adapt to the league's demands and justify the significant investment made by his club. The unfolding narratives promise an exciting second half of the MLS season.