Lionel Messi Fails to Crack Top 5 of MLS MVP Power Rankings, Luis Suarez Leads List

• Luis Suarez topped the list after a strong start to the 2024 season with Inter Miami
• Christian Arango took second in the power rankings after having 10 goal contributions
• Lionel Messi failed to enter the top 5 of the power rankings due to lack of matches

The 2024 season of Major League Soccer is in full swing, and the key players are starting to emerge.

The league's official website consulted its staff, writers, editors, and some MLS talent to determine who they think is leading the Landon Donovan MLS MVP race for 2024.

A total of 14 ballots were cast for the MVP power rankings, with the site assigning a point system for the votes placed.

A player received 10 points for every first-place vote he got, while a second-place vote resulted in five points. Players placed third, fourth, and fifth on the ballot received three, two, and one points, respectively.

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Why Messi wasn't included in top 5

Surprisingly, Lionel Messi failed to crack the top 5, with voters unimpressed with his lack of matches.

He has made three starts and played just 315 minutes this season due to injury, and the absences hurt his standing among the voters.

He still received 13 points, with Messi already having four goals this season.

Here are the top 5 players in the MVP Power Rankings, according to MLSSoccer.com.

MLS MVP Power Rankings: Top 5 players

1. Luis Suarez (Inter Miami, 106 points)

Suarez claimed the top spot in the power rankings after making a strong start to his Inter Miami career.

He has scored five goals and recorded three assists for the Herons, who are currently in third place in the Eastern Conference standings.

His best game for Inter Miami took place on Matchday 3 when he scored a pair of second-half goals in their 3-1 win over D.C. United, per USA Today.

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2. Cristian Arango (Real Salt Lake, 77 points)

Arango has been on fire for Real Salt Lake to start the 2024 season. He has scored six goals and dished out four assists to lead the league in goal contributions with 10.

Those outstanding numbers helped Arango earn 77 points from voters, good enough for second place in the power rankings.

3. Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls, 57 points)

Morgan grabbed the third spot in the power rankings, getting 57 points from the voters. They were impressed with the New York star's attacking prowess, with Morgan scoring six goals for the Red Bulls this season.

Three of those goals came in his hat-trick against Miami.

4. Joseph Paintsil (LA Galaxy, 21 points)

Paintsil grabbed the fourth spot in the power rankings after making a strong start this season for LA Galaxy.

He has been an integral part of the Galaxy attack, recording two goals and two assists thus far this season.

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5. Giorgos Giakoumakis (Atlanta United, 17 points)

Giakoumakis can't stop scoring goals for Atlanta United this season. He already has five in the 2024 campaign, helping Atlanta move up to sixth in the Eastern Conference standings.

Voters gave him 17 points in the power rankings, good enough for fifth place.

Countries where Messi played the most games

Sports Brief recently reported on the countries in which Messi played the most games.

Spain topped the list, with the Argentine star playing 698 matches in that country.

He spent the majority of his career with FC Barcelona.