Has Lionel Messi played enough to be MLS MVP? | Call It What You Want

The Call It What You Want crew debate if Lionel Messi deserves to be Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Player despite the number of matches he's played.
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[@vik3365]

not to forget : messi was away for international duties while the MLS was running, not only injuries. THE WORLD CHAMPIONS. and boy he was scoring and assisting.

[@TobQuevedo]

hahah and its funny they talk about games played when its the league of their own that makes it so that the best players miss games becase they don't pause the league for international duty

[@Carlos18731]

@@TobQuevedo Yeah but MLS one of the only backwards leagues in the world. Every other major league is on break so that players can enjoy international play. This shouldn't be held against him.

[@TobQuevedo]

@@Carlos18731 facts!

[@tojusote4896]

Messi doesn't need this award, they can give someone else, he has 8 Ballon does for Pete's sake

[@abhishekjose2329]

Inter Miami played 6 non playoff teams while messi was away, they were lucky enough to have an easy draw during that stretch of time.

[@ReaperblaugranaLM10]

What a good stat that adds context that is. And I also saw a comment somewhere else that without Messi the goal difference was a +4 and with Messi it was +24. Just night and day. Clearly Messi makes the team much better.

[@mahmoodsabbir4561]

Where was cucho in the crucial match against miami?? Scored only e penalty & also missed a penalty which cost them the title

[@sheesh7827]

thanks for bringing up this stat, while the team did do incredibly well in the time that he was away, they did have to grind out a win in most of these matches, where the xG was less than the opponent's in quite a number of these games, yet still managing to secure the win. Additionally, the first few games upon messi's return after the copa america did negatively impact the team's performance slightly as they had to unlearn some of the movement patterns that they had become used to without him but think it's safe to say they have refound their form with him.

[@TobQuevedo]

of course no one would think another player than Messi would deserve a MVP after 19 games, because those other players would not have a 1,81 goal contributions a game, a total of 36 goal contributions (most of all players in the league). tied all time player of matchday. he literally contributed to like 45% of Miamis goals, the fact that cucho and them got their stats in like 30+ games means that in a big chunk of the season they were innefective. + Miami won a supportershield with the record points in MLS history, something that without messis contributions, would not happen

[@LunaDaSavage]

EXACTLY. Cucho "more valuable" is wild.

[@fabiandavids1414]

If it wasnt for messi i will never wake up at 1am-2am in the morning just to watch the MLS ...and i am from SA

[@IntheSip]

Word fam! True fan of Leo.

[@nathansquest]

I guarantee you most Miami fans, as in almost all of them, value Messi more than anyone. It seems like a lot of people are trying to find a reason not to vote Messi MVP instead of just recognizing that he is the most valuable player not just for Miami, but for the entire MLS. He's being considered MVP because of his stats, even though he achieved them in almost half the time as the others in the competition for MVP. He's the best player on the best team in the MLS. Yes, his team won without him later in the season when he was away, but most of those games were against the worst teams in the MLS. Miami clearly needed him early in the season. They wouldn't be where they are without him. You have the best player in the world and you're trying pretty hard to find a reason why you shouldn't give him another award. It's simple. Who's the best? Who got his team to be better and win more games than any team in MLS history? Who creates the most magic? Who has the most goal contributions for goodness sake? Who is making soccer far bigger than it's ever been in US history? Where would Inter Miami be if Messi never joined the team? Without Messi you wouldn't have Busquets, Alba or Suarez. Messi is the most valuable player for many reasons. The fact that he achieved what he did in less time only makes him more impressive.

[@ReaperblaugranaLM10]

If Messi had played 10 more games where he did absolutely NOTHING then he would apparently be worthy of MVP according Mister CAP over here 🙄 It should play in Messi's favor that he can generate better numbers than anyone else in less games, not hinder him.

[@JB-nj2wr]

That’s what I said, there logic is flawed. He can do nothing in those games and according to them messi is mvp no questions asked

[@tojusote4896]

Messi has 8 Ballon dors anyway, he don't need this little award lol

[@RuqiyaOsman-yw5pv]

@@tojusote4896is not about needing it, it’s but who is really worthy and the mvp always comes from the best team and messi with many few games less has this number it should be him or Suarez coz Suarez played all the games using this video logic😂

[@AbedCruz]

You guys are just terrible. MLS rules about MVP are cristal clear. To be in the contention for MVP, a player has to play at least 1000 minutes. How many minutes did Messi play with 19 games? Hope you're good at Maths. Should Messi be punished for playing with his national team on international breaks while MLS refuse to have a break?

[@francismarasiganiii4549]

Messi has 1450 minutes so he is qualified. These clowns want to give the MVP to Cucho because they knew Cucho ain’t winning the Cup so they want him to take home something.

[@GuillermoPaz]

Messi is second on goals, third on assists, leader in contributions. He is the definition of MVP

[@koukihayashi8693]

Just remember without Messi in the league. We won’t even having this conversation because no one will talking about MLS. He’s the MVP until he leaves Miami. Period.

[@spatz813]

Plus, the main idea is to grow the game. The value that Messi brings to the league in that area, is priceless. MVP for more than just on field stats. He is putting on for the entire league and that's why he is most valuable.

[@PoliBedah-v9m]

all those haters forget the fact that Miami play this well AFTER Messi. It's not about WITH/WITHOUT Messi. His mere presence is what make Inter Miami this great.

[@ricardobautistarodriguez9349]

Most games that Messi missed was against the worst team in the league... and then take a look at those wins despite playing the worst team... the barely won. With Messi they have a goal differece +24, without him ONYL +4!!! goal difference... so they suffer waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more to win games without Messi (and 6 out of 8 were teams outside playoffs). If Messi doesn't win, it would be one of the biggest robbery in history, like Puskas 2015 or the Best 2021,

[@jcg9998]

Uhh guys... Miami 'did' miss a beat with him gone. Miami lost exactly 1 game this season with him in the lineup. Your memory is selective. 3 of their 4 losses came in the 15 games he didn't play. In addition, they lost the League's Cup with him out of the lineup.

[@NorthernThaiGardenGuy]

What part of most valuable is not clear here? Is Apple's multi billion dollar deal for any other reason? Is anyone really watching MLS for any other reason? Messi is the most valuable player in all of MLS.

[@saturdaysequalsyouth]

I think they're just debating this for content.

[@NorthernThaiGardenGuy]

@@saturdaysequalsyouth Perhaps, but it doesn't change the fact that to suggest that anyone other than Messi is league MVP is just - insane.

[@nomadlegacy897]

If scoring more in far less time doesn’t represent value, what does? How does playing more define a player’s value? Their impact during the time they played defines their value. Messi’s impact since the summer of 2023 has been utterly astounding. 36 goal contributions in 19 games is absurd. No one else in MLS comes close to those numbers. Every other contender in MLS played far more than 19 games. That is the definition of value. Doing more with less.

[@jcg9998]

Go and watch all the games and you will also notice that the ball possession was far greater with Messi playing. Teams changed their play style to being more defensive with Messi on the field.

[@brucexiong6379]

What is most valuable mean? It means “value”. Messi is not only bringing the most value to Miami but also to Major League.

[@kevinzanuar5492]

So what they said innitially was that The MLS MVP is given to the player with the most Caps for the team? Is that really what it is? what are these guys on bro? So basically it's just glorified participation award. And to the point of Miami played well without Messi, yes and no at the same time, because the wins that they have during that time are mostly close, and when Messi's there they became not just the best team but also feared team to go up against in the entire league. What do you mean he is not the MVP? Make it make sense....

[@saturdaysequalsyouth]

They built a whole team around Messi. How is he not the most valuable player?

[@basedboys17]

How is this even a question lol Come on now Messi is always the best

[@chuiwyjustin]

It's not the "Most Capped" player award, or the "Most Attended" player award. Messi wins this award hands down by virtue of what he's done for MLS and Inter Miami.

[@anandgangwar6926]

Valid❤

[@bydariopoggi]

They should rename MVP to MPP: “Most Present Player”.

[@swapnanilkundu8948]

They are constantly trying to find reasons for not giving the MVP award to Messi

[@tomassisipus9836]

People forgot that Miami is the best AFTER Messi. Whether or not they play with Messi.

[@omersubasi7372]

How about MLS visibility to the World due to Messi? Isn't that a concrete value metric?

[@LoviTagliafico]

Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player Description: Most Valuable Player in MLS during the 2024 MLS regular season. Eligibility: Player must have played at least 1,000 minutes during the 2024 MLS regular season. Selection Process: Voted on by media members, clubs, and players. Please make it make sense why Messi should not be the MVP when he played 1424 minutes?

[@JB-nj2wr]

Imagine taking a few fan’s opinions and thinking that’s gospel. Messi is mvp and it’s not even a debate. Without messi none of this happens

[@luisandreirodriguez9153]

The argument that when cucho was out his team hurt, should not have ANY validity regarding the MVP. Its what he did, not what he did not do because he was out

[@geniev91]

I watch mls cause of messi. I can't help it. It's just fun to watch him. And his colleagues. All of miami players.

[@jorge.im.linares]

Dude contributed the most goals to their team in the season, that already makes him MVP regardless of how many games he played. If a team is worse because one player is out then you can absolutely say that he is more valuable to their team, but not that he's the Most Valuable Player in the league.

[@randyzoo8944]

So for this guy, in order to be MVP, a player literally has to play for a team that can't win without him. Forget the performances, forget the stats. In fact, forget if the player is literally better than all the other candidates. Only one thing matters, the team must not be able to win games without the player. My guy, your vote is not for the MVP. It's for the MVPBT(Most Valuable Player in a Bad Team). 😂

[@total1ful]

So Messi has a better goal contribution than everyone with only playing 55% of the games but he isn’t MVP ….what a joke

[@mrfacts6860]

Messi 🐐 deserves stop the hate. Without him miami lost in quarters of leagues cup the tournament he singlehandedly won the previous year.

[@Carlos18731]

I think it's more of a talking point that Messi's numbers are still in the top 5 of the league even though he's missed as many games. This is why he's being in the conversation of MVP

[@tnt_pkk1311]

Right it’s his fault that he had to go away for international duties and still got the best stat

[@ianazura7915]

Playing less with many goals.. Messi deserves it.. they win the shield because of him..

[@JB-nj2wr]

You’re talking nonsense, cucho doesn’t get those numbers in those games that messi played…..only messi does and that mug who said it undermines if messi wins doesn’t know football

[@AriaTheGoat]

Messi should win the MVP with NO doubt. If he doesn’t it’s a robbery idc

[@JB-nj2wr]

I love that guy takes a small group of fans who say Sergio and thinks that’s everyone

[@zomt.81]

To be MVP your team has to be in the playoffs

[@aeroxyz5626]

Even Messi himself doesn't think about what MVP is. 😂 Messi plays for the team, not for himself. 😎

[@piyushbisht1869]

"Messi played only 19 games. Noone else without the name of Lionel Messi would be awarded MVP." Bro is not telling the whole story. He also has a 36 goal contribution in those matches. Without him, Miami would be down 16 points. If any other Player would have that contribution, ofcourse they should be MVP.

[@King.LM10]

if any player whose name is not as big as messi came to the mls and produced those messi numbers in the same amount of games. and scored 2 goals in the most important game of the regular season to secure the supporters shield against his MVP rival( who in the same game missed a crucial penalty) and that player also scores a hatrick on decision day coming off the bench when his team was drawing 2-2 to break the all time points record. all these people would go nuts and agree that hes the MVP without any debate. but because its Messi they are over analysing it trying to find any reason to not give him the MVP.

[@truthmatter8187]

Just tell me this, where was Inter Maimi before Messi? What according to you guys is Most Valuable Player(MVP).

[@sannyg5446]

Messi should get it 100%! Nobody should b compared with him.

[@basedboys17]

It’s undeniable now

[@basedboys17]

Messi will win obviously More than enough MVP

[@gr-mt2sx]

Doesn’t matter how many games missed but how the players performed is what matters Lionel messi dominates the game in mls

[@tomassisipus9836]

That white cap dude is so ungrateful that he forgot that it's Messi that makes all eyes on MLS

[@TheRobCave]

Don't forget that Messi played 6 games less than Hernandez. How many games have Inter Miami lost while Messi was playing? I believe it was only one.... How many has Columbus lost while Hernandez played?.... I believe it was 4 or 5... So by this logic Messi is the most valuable player on the field and he's the one to make the difference

[@chidiebereodiba5747]

Not to downplay the MVP award but if Messi isn't interested in the balon d'or anymore, I don't think the MVP will matter. At this stage, he's just enjoying himself. If Miami fans really think the MVP is Busi, well, dunno what to say. Remove Messi's goals + assists and we wouldn't even be having a conversation.

[@sankalpsingh5619]

Messi is a game changer for miami , how the hell he is not valuable player in the league I mean have you seen how he can change the game at any time for miami is there a big game changer than messi in the league

[@GuillermoPaz]

Not giving it to Messi for the reasons on the video is such a bad take.

[@dangerousblablao]

These people are trying to find any excuse under the sun for why Messi shouldn't be the MVP, when it's obvious to everyone that he fully deserves it.

[@GeorgeNguyen]

Definition: Valuable in contribution: Messi has quality not quantity Valuable in improving the team: Inter Miami from Bottom to top? Valuable in Financial aspect: how much Inter Miami worth now and MLS compare to the past?

[@cartelbunny2809]

He almost caught up to Benteke in fewer matches.

[@zomt.81]

So many Messi haters 😂

[@enohpius2212]

This is really silly. Someone is being penalized for representing his country. Despite being absent, still the highest goal contributions. MLS needs help and restructuring.

[@CDmusic10]

Messi isn't just the MVP of MLS, he's the MVP of football lol. I'm not sure how this is even debatable.

[@basedboys17]

Messi haters be like

[@joshuasamaraweera3174]

So there argument is flawed. If you're basing it off appearances then Busquets should be the candidate over Messi but we all know that's false. Messi's production is better than literally every player and the only argument is that he missed games not just to injury but for international duty. Whereas I can pinpoint every other player's weaknesses in production i.e. Cucho's penalty miss vs Inter Miami in the most important game of the season.

[@nawab1719]

Messiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii🐐👑

[@mariosanchez2925]

MESSI NO CALIFICA ? LOS ARGUMENTOS DEL SOCCER SON DISTINTOS DEL FÚTBOL .

[@kyleferguson5463]

This argument was weak af … you cannot tell me any individual performed better than Messi this season…. The types of goals and assists he had were of much higher quality than any player this year…. Also he played better individually in half the season than anyone which makes Messi more worthy for the award not less… if someone can put up better individual overall stats in half a season than the other players did in a full season than it speaks to how much of a gap in gameplay that individual had for the year than the rest of the guys.

[@jorgech11]

Messi out there helping his nation lift another copa America and get his nation get into the next World Cup, whilst killing it whenever wearing pink. Meanwhile, some losers that can’t even kick a soccer ball saying he didn’t play enough games. He’s the most VALUABLE player for inter Miami, he’s the most VALUABLE player for the entire MLS. What a joke

[@JB-nj2wr]

The only reason they won those games without messi is because of messi. Are we forgetting that Miami were bad before messi

[@zrkn45]

3:16 is guy even hearing himself?💀 2nd in goals 3rd in assists, most g/a in regular season from half the games, and mr.Cap over here keeps yapping about more games played💀 tf if you had significantly better contribution rate than your competitors, you have more value in the game.

[@JB-nj2wr]

In those 8 games how many good teams do they play. Because messi did his best work against the best teams

[@AllMovies-uo3ot]

Messi ❤❤❤❤

[@thomasrabach8422]

So MVP is based on minutes played or game contribution? Goals, assist, saves... doesn't count?

[@LunaDaSavage]

Messi %100 deserves to win it 😂 He has the highest rating in the league. He's made the biggest impact. True, IM did hold it down with out him true. But don't forget about what he did before injuries and international breaks. He even got the MLS record for most assists in 1 game. WITH THAT BEING SAID. I think they should give it to someone esle. If they do give it to him all the haters are gonna cry for days and say he stole it. And at the end of the day Messi could care less. He's probably kissing his world cup replica trophy right now. And also he's focused on the MLS cup. He doesn't care about personal awards. But at the end of the day people know he was the best player this season. Its 19 matches but he didn't start in everyone of them and he still top 3 in goals, and Benteke has 23 with 3 penalties. Cucho was good but Messi is the highest rated player even giving them 15 matches. And he has more than 1 goal per match. 30 g/a in 19 matches. Not even a debate.

[@JB-nj2wr]

If it was the other away round, only messi gets those numbers

[@basedboys17]

How are these guys soccer fans lol They don’t know know nothing Anti Messi fans are a joke to the sport

[@kelvinyeo2047]

maybe it is good for Messi to renounce all kind of individual award. he is always Should be the winner for this and not, as he is that good. to me he dont need any more individual awards. i follow all his tournament matches. his soccer is just so attractive.

[@zrkn45]

Be it G/A, value for the team, comercial value, audience attention or anything that can equate to being the Most Valuable Player, Messi has it, that too with barely half the appearances. Miami were okay without Messi, but they are clearly better with Messi when you actually look at the games. People aren't given awards like this for "most games played" but for the most value they had. Which is more valuable to you, a guy with the same numbers or more compared to players who played all the games for the same or lesser stats?. Not to mention playing in Copa shouldn't take away from mvp,tf it is because of value that they get called up for national duty. To think appearances make or break value is absurd and dumb, it's about what they do in the appearances they get, example, G/A per minutes and matches, chances created, and overall *VALUE* they brought to the team, which in Messi's case, brought value to the whole league.

[@ngaoshonimikrii75]

I guess messi is the most valuable player in MLS

[@Costatrey]

That cap guy is a Ronaldo fan😂😂

[@jaycasinyo1207]

Messi does not need to win MLS MVP. MLS need Messi to win MVP.

[@Nico-nc5qb]

My God, these people think they understand a bit about football... it's hilarious. Go play The fake football, guys... 😂

[@JB-nj2wr]

Exactly and this is why Americans are laughed at

[@YukiJuli]

Pemain yang paling berharga itu bukan yang paling banyak main terus cetak goal saja , pemain itu berharga didalam dan diluar lapangan , apalagi Miami tahun ini urutan pertama . Yang masih memperdebatkan Messi pantas atau tidak mvp tahun ini kalian adalah BADUT yang menjadi tertawan fans Messi di seluruh dunia

[@dakshisplayinguke]

the messi hate is unreal in america, he should have not gone there to play his last club games

[@molirmolir4232]

MVP is the best player or most games played?

[@Angkor-e4c]

Without Messi, Miami is nothing! Look at the League Cup tournament! Without Messi, with all those players, they were eliminated earlier! You are so idiott to not see that

[@basedboys17]

Messi is far the best and MVP

[@truthteller6776]

Bring Hernadez to Miami see they still at the bottom ???

[@garbanzolee3306]

Cucho Hernandez for MVP!

[@richardmoreno5023]

Look at his average stats …goals n assists …do the numbers lie?

[@biniyammulugeta-uf1sv]

I dont think messi cares about mls mvp.i guess inter miami as an organization do

[@pedrorafael3384]

😂😂😂 people will do and say anything just for messi dont win mvp 😅😅 so he is the best of the league but the mvp is other player 😂😂😂 oh my god.. try this mls stop the league in international games and then messi can play more games

[@agostomortal]

These Clueless clowns and their "logic" for not voting for MESSI only dimished the impact that MLS is so hard trying to attempt. If there is a rule that you have to play 20 games or more to be elected to MVP then I get it. But having play more than half the games and that indisputable performance and impact. (forget about the actual level as a player where he is clearly the GOAT) there is no question who the MVP IS

[@tojusote4896]

Cucho can't score 20 goals in 19 games

[@francismarasiganiii4549]

All of these clowns don’t want Messi to win the MVP.

[@congoboymbeyas2440]

🐐

[@yofrog]

Another 🤡 talk… Messi is by far MLS MVP…

[@total1ful]

This guys are a joke….

[@nerychristian]

They need to create a Triple Crown award, for the player with most goals, assists, and tackles.

[@joeobomax]

😮

[@awes70]

This whole things is gonna be extra funny when Messi and co loses to Columbus in the semi finals 😂

[@giljavier1829]

they will beat Colombus again..be ready

[@adhigazi4105]

the best dream of a pendu fan

[@AdithyaReddy-tp1lg]

MVP ( Most Valuable Player ) ??? Plz let me know if this award is given to the top player of the tournament or top player of the season ???

[@the-weekend-traveller-jp]

They have to miss messi in order to win mvp, also messi cant win mvp if he doesnt play most of the games- such american things to say! very disappointing rationals!