It was a rare case Lionel Messi I walked onto a soccer field and had no idea what was happening.

There they were, more than 250 Inter Miami Academy players, a gaggle of kids lined up in midfield in a formation that consisted of three letters: MVP. And when Messi saw his children, he realized that they were holding a trophy.

That’s how it works Messi learned he was Major League Soccer’s best player in 2024.

Messi is the MLS MVP, even after a season in which he missed 15 of Inter Miami’s 34 regular-season games Injuries or obligations towards Argentina’s national team. He’s projected to score a league-high 36 goals – 20 goals, 16 more assists – making him the highest strike rate per 90 minutes in MLS history.

“It is truly an honor for me to receive this award from all of you,” Messi told the academy players.

MLS announced the voting results on Friday. Messi beat Columbus Crew striker Cucho Hernández for the award, which is determined through a survey of players, club technical staff and selected media representatives. The club selectors narrowly preferred Hernández to Messi; Messi was the choice of 41% of players and 43% of the media.

“Unless you live in the world of global soccer, it’s hard to imagine the universal appeal and enormous popularity and fame of Leo Messi,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber, who also attended the surprise MVP award at Inter Miami’s stadium. Presentation that happened on Wednesday evening. “I mean, he’s Michael Jackson meets Taylor Swift – and he’s in our league.”

Messi ended up receiving 38.4% of the average vote, while Hernández received 33.7%. Portland Timbers midfielder Evander (9.2%), DC United’s Christian Benteke (7.1%) and Messi’s Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez (2.2%) rounded out the top five of the voting.

Messi’s victory capped a 2024 season in which he led Inter Miami to the Supporters’ Shield and the best regular season record in MLS history, and captained Argentina to the Copa America title. Inter Miami failed in Round 1 of the MLS Cup playoffs.

“I would have liked to receive this award in a different situation, if I could play in the (MLS Cup) final next Saturday,” Messi said. “But that’s what football is all about: going beyond yourself every day. We had a big dream of becoming MLS champions this year. That didn’t happen, but next year we’ll come back stronger to try again.”

MLS MVP – named after Landon Donovan – is another entry on Messi’s absurdly long list of professional accolades. He is an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, eight-time FIFA Player of the Year winner, seven-time Spanish League MVP, former UEFA Player of the Year, former Champions League Player of the Season, World Cup Golden Ball winner, winner of the Club World Cup Golden Ball, and the list goes on.

Best player of all time? It’s hard to argue. Some of the academy players were even allowed to speak to Messi during the trophy presentation and explain to him why he is their MVP.

“Hello Leo, you are my MVP because you have been my idol since I was a child and it is really incredible to see you here in person every day,” said Inter Miami U19 player Victor Fung. “Thank you for giving us so many unforgettable memories…Thank you for everything.”

Messi stunned many in the soccer world when he chose Inter Miami last year and immediately turned the franchise into one of the game’s biggest brands. Winning the League Cup shortly after Messi’s arrival gave Inter Miami its first trophy, and his number 10 jersey has been MLS’s biggest seller practically since the moment the most decorated player of all time chose Miami.

“I have to say it exceeded my expectations,” Garber said. “I love what it has done for MLS and I hope Leo stays healthy and stays in the league for a long time.”

The The 37-year-old Messi is under contract until the end of the 2025 season, and Inter Miami have made no secret of the fact that they want him to stay until at least 2026 – when the club plans to open a new stadium near Miami International Airport.

“I would like to see Leo for the rest of our league,” Garber said. “I spoke to his wife on Wednesday evening and greeted his children. They seem very happy here. That’s a good thing. It’s about seeing a player and his family really happy.”

Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas was asked this week what he thinks of the club’s unprecedented investment – Messi’s contract with the team is worth a total of at least $150 million and his annual MLS salary is higher than that Combining the payroll of some MLS teams has worked so far.

“Just one word,” said Mas, perhaps momentarily unaware that describing Messi usually requires more than one word. “It’s been a fantastic run and there’s more to come.”