Lionel Messi is a finalist for MLS MVP again. The Inter Miami captain now has a chance to become the first player to win it three years in a row.

Messi won the award in 2024 and 2025. That made him just the second two-time winner, joining Preki, who won in 1997 and 2003.

He has already locked up a record second straight Golden Boot after scoring 26 goals this regular season.

A 17-year-old in the mix

The other finalists for the award, named after U.S. great Landon Donovan, are Evander of FC Cincinnati, Guilherme of the Houston Dynamo, Hany Mukhtar of Nashville SC and Cavan Sullivan of the Philadelphia Union.

At 17, Sullivan is the youngest MVP finalist in MLS history. He is also up for Young Player of the Year. Last month he became the youngest player ever to score for the U.S. men's national team when he found the net against Mexico.

Newcomer race

Guilherme is also a finalist for Newcomer of the Year after putting up 16 goals and 10 assists. He will compete with Antoine Griezmann, who had 14 goals and eight assists after joining Orlando City in July from Atletico Madrid.

Finalists were picked by votes from club technical staff, first-team players and select media members. Each group counted for one-third of the result.

The winners will be announced during the playoffs, which start Nov. 19.