MLS MVP Race 2025: Lionel Messi Closing In On Crown, But Denis Bouanga, Tai Baribo, Sam Surridge & Anders Dreyer Aren’t Backing Down

Lionel Messi Closing in on a Historic Second MVP

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates scoring

The 2025 MLS season is approaching its final third, and just like last year, Lionel Messi has turned up the heat. The reigning Landon Donovan MVP is aiming to do something only one player in MLS history has done before: win the award twice. Even more impressively, he’s chasing back-to-back titles – something that even MLS legends like Carlos Vela, Josef Martinez, and Landon Donovan never achieved.

Messi’s season started quietly, mostly due to injury and international commitments, but since May, he has hit another gear. Seven goals in that single month catapulted Inter Miami back into the top three in the Eastern Conference, and reignited his MVP case. With 10 goals and six assists in just 13 league appearances, the numbers speak for themselves. He’s doing all this with fewer minutes than most top scorers in the league, playing just 1,115 minutes so far.

Statistically, he’s outperforming his xG of 7.54 and remains second in the league in shots on target behind Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar. And while goal contributions matter, Lionel Messi’s leadership and ability to shift momentum make him one of the most feared players in the league, even at age 37.

Tai Baribo: The Surprise Front-Runner

Philadelphia Union v Inter Miami CF

While Lionel Messi is storming toward the crown, he’s not alone in the MVP conversation. Leading the pack statistically is Tai Baribo of the Philadelphia Union. The Israeli international has been a revelation this season. With 13 goals and one assist in 16 appearances (13 of those starts), he’s done more than just score—he’s carried Philly to the summit of the Eastern Conference.

Baribo isn’t a one-dimensional poacher either. He’s outperformed his xG of 9.67, boasts a clinical .42 conversion rate, and has made nine key passes leading to attacking chances. Perhaps most impressively, he’s scored 13 goals from just 17 shots on target. That kind of efficiency is rare.

Baribo might not have Lionel Messi’s global appeal, but in MLS terms, he’s been the most consistently dangerous striker all season. If he keeps this up, it’s hard to imagine he won’t be right there at the finish line.

Denis Bouanga: The Veteran Machine

Los Angeles Football Club v Sporting Kansas City

Don’t let the flashy names overshadow Denis Bouanga. The LAFC forward has been quietly putting together yet another standout season. In 15 appearances, the Gabon international has netted eight goals and added five assists, maintaining LAFC’s status as a Western Conference powerhouse.

Bouanga has delivered when it matters most. Whether it was the MLS matches in May or the Club World Cup playoff win over Club America (where he scored the extra-time winner), he’s shown up for big moments. That’s what MVPs do.

This season marks his third consecutive year in the MVP conversation. After finishing just short in 2023 and 2024, 2025 might be the year he finally breaks through. He’s leading LAFC’s resurgence and is arguably their most indispensable player.

Anders Dreyer: Newcomer Making Waves

For a team in its first-ever season, San Diego FC couldn’t have asked for more from Anders Dreyer. The Danish winger has been a creative and attacking force, registering 14 goal contributions (six goals, eight assists) in 18 matches. He’s played a vital role in San Diego’s climb to second in the Western Conference, making him a genuine MVP candidate in addition to his status as the clear Newcomer of the Year favorite.

Dreyer recently shined for Denmark in international play, scoring and assisting in a 5-0 win over Lithuania. His club performances haven’t dropped either. With his dangerous left foot and high football IQ, Dreyer has turned SDFC into more than just an expansion team – they’re playoff contenders.

If his form continues, Dreyer could force voters to take notice, especially if he helps San Diego secure a top-four finish.

Sam Surridge: Redemption Story in Nashville

Nashville SC v New York Red Bulls

Every MVP race has its underdog, and this year, it might just be Sam Surridge. Once considered surplus to requirements at Nashville SC, the 6-foot-2 Englishman has found his scoring boots in 2025. With 11 goals and three assists so far, Surridge is second in the league in scoring and has Nashville tied with Inter Miami on points in the East.

Surridge has been deadly inside the box, converting 11 of 27 shots on target from 55 scoring chances. His ability to play as a target man while also poaching goals in tight spaces has given Nashville a much-needed attacking spark. His story is a reminder that in football, redemption arcs can be just as powerful as sustained greatness.

He may not have the same name recognition as Lionel Messi or the statistical dominance of Baribo, but if Nashville keeps rising, Surridge’s name will remain in the mix.

Others Still in the Hunt

Evander FC Cincinnati

Beyond the top five, several others remain in the periphery of MVP discussions:

• Evander (FC Cincinnati) – A midfield maestro who started strong but has slowed recently. Still a creative spark for his side.
• Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew) – Has the pedigree and skill, but needs a stronger second half of the season.
• Antony (Portland Timbers) – Quietly productive; if Portland push for a playoff spot, he could rise quickly.
• Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps) – Among the most consistent forwards in the West, though lacks the same goal volume as the frontrunners.
• Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes) – An elite creator and leader, but team form could hurt his chances.

Conclusion: Can Lionel Messi Make History?

As it stands, the 2025 MLS MVP race is shaping up to be one of the most compelling in years. Lionel Messi is closing in on a historic second MVP, but players like Tai Baribo and Denis Bouanga are hot on his heels. With young stars like Dreyer and redemption stories like Surridge adding flair to the chase, voters will have plenty to think about come season’s end.

Messi might be the headline act, but the stage is full of stars. Whether he makes history or someone else steals the show, fans are in for a thrilling finish.