Argentine superstar Lionel Messi wins MLS MVP award

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has won Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Player award, media reports said.The former Barcelona and Paris-St Germain forward helped Inter Miami to a record regular season points tally, before his side were beaten in the first round of the MLS Cup play-offs in November, the BBC said.

The 37-year-old had a league-leading 36 goal contributions, scoring 20 goals and creating 16 assists.The award comes despite injuries limiting Messi to just 19 regular season and two play-off appearances for Miami this year.

The league's MVP is chosen by players, club technical staff and journalists. Messi received 38.43% of votes, beating Colombus Crew's Cucho Hernandez who got 33.7%.The award, officially known as the Landon Donovan MLS MVP, has previously been won by former United States midfielder Donavon, Republic of Ireland's Robbie Keane and Spain's David Villa.(UNI)<>