(Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/MLS via Getty Images)

Lionel Messi Beats Thomas Müller for MLS Award

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Supratim Banerjee | Last updated Mar 3, 2026 8:05 AM ET

The 2026 MLS season has kicked off, and it seems that Inter Miami's Lionel Messi has picked up from right where he left off at the end of last season.

The ex-Barcelona captain edged out the German legend Thomas Müller to claim the MLS Player of the Matchday award after delivering a clinical two-goal performance in the Herons’ 4-2 win vs. Orlando City on Sunday.

Marco Pasalic scored first for the Lions in the 18th minute. Martin Ojeda doubled Orlando's lead in the 24th minute. Miami went into the halftime losing 0-2.

Mateo Silvetti sparked Miami's comeback with a goal in the 49th minute, and Messi levelled the scores 2-2 in the 57th. Telasco Segovia then handed Miami a slender 1-goal lead in the 85th minute. The 39-year-old Argentine finally completed the Herons' turnaround, converting a penalty in the 90th minute to make the final score 4-2.

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Vancouver forward Müller was the close second in the race for the Player of the Matchday award with Messi after scoring a brace and helping his team to a 3-0 win vs. Toronto FC.

The German legend broke the deadlock after scoring a penalty in the 25th minute of the game. The 36-year-old forward then went on to score his second goal and make it 2-0 in the 37th minute. Brian White scored the third goal right before halftime, cementing the win for Vancouver.

Javier Mascherano Makes Feelings Clear on Lionel Messi After 4-2 Win vs. Orlando City

Although Inter Miami started the 2026 MLS season with a 3-0 loss to LAFC, the club has bounced back with a 4-2 win in the second matchday against Orlando City. The team's captain, Lionel Messi, had an excellent performance vs. the Lions, scoring a brace and helping his team claim all three points on Sunday.

Following the game, Miami's head coach, Javier Mascherano, made his feelings clear on the Argentine legend's performance. Mascherano lauded Messi's performance and said, "Leo, in addition to being what I've already said a thousand times, obviously he's the best player who's ever played this sport. He's a leader, and as a leader, he infects others, and he also often has to be infected, that is, he also has to see things on the pitch to be able to start believing."

Javier Mascherano talking to Lionel Messi before entering the pitch during the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 Second Leg match between Cavalier SC and Inter Miami CF(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The 41-year-old head coach pointed out that Messi 'looked much better' in the second half than in the first. He said, "I think in the second half he looked much better. We started to find him in places and in positions where he feels comfortable, and from there we were also able to give him more options".

The Herons will now face DC United on Saturday, March 7. After a strong performance in matchday 2, Mascherano's men would look to build on that momentum with another win against the Black and Red, once again counting on Messi to spearhead the charge.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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