Lionel Messi and Denis Bouanga in the runningMLS has unveiled the finalists for its 2025 awards. Lionel Messi and Gabonese striker Denis Bouanga have both been nominated.Lionel Messi

The Danish midfielder was the joint leader in assists and tallied 19 goals. San Diego's 63 points were also a record for an MLS expansion franchise. The club claimed the top seed in the Western Conference, owning the tiebreaker over the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Throughout their legendary careers, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo ever managed to amass 20 club goals in just a dozen outings. Ronaldo came close in 2014–15, hitting that landmark figure in 13 Real Madrid games, while Messi never hit 20 goals in fewer than 17 appearances for any of Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain or Inter Miami.