It was a rare instance of Lionel Messi stepping on a soccer field and having no idea what was happening.

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

That's how Messi learned he was Major League Soccer's best player in 2024.

Messi is the MLS MVP, even after a season where the forward missed 15 of Inter Miami's 34 regular-season matches with injuries or commitments to Argentina's national team. He factored into a league-high 36 goals — scoring 20, assisting on 16 others — for the highest rate per 90 minutes in MLS history.

"Truly, it is an honour for me to receive this award from all of you," Messi told the academy players.

MLS revealed the voting results Friday. Messi edged out Columbus Crew forward Cucho Hernandez for the award, which is determined by a poll of players, club technical staff and select media members. The club voters preferred Hernandez over Messi by a slight margin; Messi was the choice of 41 per cent of players and 43 per cent of media.

"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," said MLS commissioner Don Garber, who was also at Inter Miami's stadium for the surprise MVP presentation that occurred Wednesday night. "I mean, he is Michael Jackson meeting Taylor Swift, and he's playing in our league."

Messi wound up with 38.4 per cent of the average vote, while Hernandez got 33.7, D.C. United's Christian Benteke (7.1 rounded out the top five in the voting.

Captained Argentina to Copa America title

Messi's win capped a 2024 campaign where he led Inter Miami to the Supporters Shield and best regular season record in MLS history, plus captained Argentina to a Copa America title. Inter Miami fell in Round 1 of the MLS Cup playoffs.

"I would have liked to receive this award in another situation, being able to play the [MLS Cup] final next Saturday," Messi said. "But that's also what football is about, overcoming yourself every day. We had a big dream of being MLS champions this year. It didn't happen, but next year we'll come back stronger to try again."

The MLS MVP, named for Landon Donovan, is yet another entry on the absurdly long list of career honours for Messi. He's an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, eight-time FIFA player of the year winner, seven-time Spanish league MVP, past UEFA player of the year, past Champions League player of the season, World Cup golden ball winner, Club World Cup golden ball winner, and the list goes on and on and on from there.

Best player ever? It's tough to argue. Some of the academy players even got to address Messi at the trophy presentation, telling him why he's their MVP.

"Hi Leo, you are my MVP because you have been my idol since I was a child and seeing you here in person every day is truly incredible," Inter Miami under-19 player Victor Fung told him. "Thank you for giving us so many unforgettable memories … thank you for everything."

Messi stunned many in the soccer world when he picked Inter Miami last year, instantly turning the franchise into one of the game's biggest brands. Winning the Leagues Cup shortly after Messi arrived gave Inter Miami its first trophy, and his No. 10 jersey has been MLS' biggest seller from basically the moment that the most decorated player ever picked Miami.

"I will say it exceeded my expectations," Garber said. "I love what it's done for MLS and I hope Leo stays healthy and is going to be in the league for a long time."

The 37-year-old Messi is under contract through the end of the 2025 season, and Inter Miami has made no secret it wants him to remain into at least 2026 when the club plans to open a new stadium near Miami International Airport.

"I'd love to see Leo be a part of our league for the rest of time," Garber said. "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."

Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas was asked this week how he feels about the club's unprecedented investment — Messi's contract with the team is worth at least $150 million in total value, and his annual MLS salary is more than some entire MLS team payrolls combined — has worked out so far.

"Just one word," Mas said, perhaps briefly unaware that describing anything about Messi tends to require more than one word. "It's been an amazing run and there's more to come."