LIONEL MESSI is set to be edged out for the MLS’ coveted MVP award by a Premier League flop who has topped the scoring charts.
Messi enjoyed a stunning season in America with Inter Miami, helping his side finish top of the Eastern Conference.
The Argentina captain also helped himself to 20 goals throughout the campaign.
And he even bagged 16 assists along the way as well.
However, it’s reckoned that Messi could miss out on the coveted MVP award, which is handed to the MLS’ best player.
Inter Miami were expected to cruise to the league’s Cup final, where the ultimate winner of the season is decided.
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But David Beckham’s franchise crashed out early in the knockouts, suffering a shock 3-2 defeat to Atlanta United.
It means the final will be contested by LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls.
And that could see Messi fail to land the MVP award.
Instead, it’s reckoned that Christian Benteke could end up winning it.
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The Belgian striker is best known by Premier League fans for spells at Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
Benteke netted 49 goals in 101 games for the latter.
But his barren year at Liverpool resulted in just 10 goals from 42 matches.
And at Palace, he only managed 37 goals in 177 outings.
Yet Benteke has managed to finish top of the leaderboard for goals scored in the MLS this term.
The hitman bagged 23 goals for DC United, who he joined from Palace in 2022.
They only managed a 10th place finish in the Eastern Conference.
And without Benteke’s goals, DC may very well have finished bottom of the league.
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As a result, his contribution could be viewed in some quarters as more valuable than Messi’s, which occurred in a better team which ultimately underachieved.
And it now remains to be seen if Benteke does scoop the award ahead of Messi, whose Inter Miami side will be part of Thursday’s draw for next summer’s Club World Cup.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
