Lionel Messi has been told he’s now no longer the outright favorite to win the MLS MVP award, the most lucrative individual soccer accolade in the United States.
The Inter Miami star has been on a tear this year with Messi already on an incredible 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions, breaking numerous MLS records in the process.
With Messi away on international duty, though, the 36-year-old is expected to miss as many as six games for Inter Miami, which could have a huge impact on the race for MLS MVP.
And one player is now starting to show that he is a real rival for Messi for the award.
Chico Arango tipped to go head-to-head with Messi for MLS MVP
Speaking on MLS Extratime, expert Matt Doyle made the point that Messi now has competition for the MLS MVP award in the form of Real Salt Lake forward Chico Arango, who has been nothing short of sensational this year.
The Colombian attacker tops the MLS scoring charts with 16 goals, with Arango this weekend scoring a contender for Goal of the Season with an outrageous chip from the halfway line for RSL.
And for Messi, the 29-year-old attacker could be a real contender for the MLS MVP award, with Arango leading Real Salt Lake to top of the Western Conference and just two points off Inter Miami in the Supporters Shield standings.
Doyle said about Arango’s form this year and most recent performance: “It was awesome, this was a ‘I’m actually in the MVP race’ performance from Arango, we just can’t give it to Messi, Messi is going to have to earn it.”
Messi knows he has what it takes to win top MLS award this year
Messi might be missing a good number of games this season, but the Inter Miami star is also fully ware that he has what it takes to win the MLS MVP award come the end of the year.
The Herons are still the favorites for MLS Cup with Messi the player who will be key to this run when the playoffs are upon us, where the Argentine could hit a new level of performance for Inter Miami.
And if such a thing happens, Messi could have the MLS MVP award wrapped up before Arango even has a chance to respond, such is the brilliance of the Argentine international.