FC Cincinnati forward Luciano Acosta has hysterically claimed that he wouldn’t have won the MLS MVP award if Inter Miami signed Lionel Messi earlier last year.
The 36-year-old Argentine superstar made a blockbuster move to Florida in the summer, helping Inter Miami win Leagues Cup and scoring 11 goals in 14 matches for the Herons in all competitions.
Whilst Messi was never a contender for the MLS MVP award, the attacker is certainly a favorite heading into the 2024 season, especially if Inter Miami can keep their star forward fit.
And speaking to journalist Justin Ruderman, Acosta joked that he is pleased Messi joined MLS halfway through last season, with the Cincinnati forward winning the MVP award last year.
Indeed, Acosta was on another level last season in what was to be a historic year for Cincinnati, yet things could have been different for the Argentina had Messi joined MLS sooner.
Acosta said when asked about Messi’s arrival to MLS: “It’s better that Leo [Messi} arrived at the half of the season or he would have won MVP!”
Lionel Messi will be aiming for the MLS MVP award
The MLS MVP award is one that every player in the division will aim to win, and Messi will be an early favorite to add the accolade to his already impressive trophy cabinet.
Some of soccer’s best players in recent memory have won the award from David Villa to Landon Donavon to Robbie Keane, and Messi will want to add his name to that list.
If the attacker can stay fit and lead Inter Miami to the playoffs, there’s no reason why Messi can’t be a contender for the award, with Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets also in the running.