NEW YORK: Lionel Messi was named MLS Player of the Year on Friday after leading Inter Miami to a record-breaking regular season.
The Argentine star received the award after his performance helped Miami achieve a record regular-season points tally, earning the club its first-ever Supporters’ Shield.
“Truly, it is an honor for me to receive this award from all of you,” Messi told Inter Miami players. Times of India.
“It gives me great 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 be here.” He added: “I see you growing day by day, and I invite you to continue fighting and striving to achieve your dreams.”
The 37-year-old maestro finished the regular season with a career-high 36 league goals after scoring 20 goals and making 16 assists.
Messi’s award for best player comes despite an injury-plagued season in which he participated in only 19 matches this year.
Miami and Messi’s season eventually came to an end, when the team suffered a surprise first-round defeat in the MLS Cup playoffs.
Messi is the tenth South American player to win the Best Player award, and the fifth from Argentina after Luciano Acosta, Diego Valeri, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, and Christian Gomez.
The football star expressed his regret over Inter Miami’s failure in the qualifiers and their exit in the first round at the hands of Atlanta United.
Messi said: “I would have liked to get this award in another situation, which is to be able to play on Saturday.” Miami Herald.
“But that’s also what football is about, to beat yourself every day. We had a big dream of becoming MLS champions this year. It didn’t happen, but next year we will come back stronger to try again (…) Fight for your dreams, work hard, and in the end, the sacrifice and effort are rewarded.”
Miami was the favorite to win the MLS Cup final, or at least it was a candidate to reach the finals. Instead, the Los Angeles Galaxy will play with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday for the title.