Lionel Messi earns MLS award after brace vs. Orlando City, approaching Landon Donovan record

Lionel Messi continues to raise the bar MLSand his leading role in InterMiami‘s stunning comeback against Orlando city in the Florida Derby was no exception. After scoring a brace in the 4–2 win, the Argentinian received a league award that brings him ever closer to a record USMNT legend Landon Donovan.

After a deflating 2026 MLS opener (a 3-0 loss to LAFC), Inter Miami was desperate to respond on Sunday against Orlando city. At halftime the Lions led 2-0, but the Herons staged a remarkable comeback, with Messi sealing the victory and his brace with a clinical free-kick.

After his performance against Orlando City, Lionel Messi was elected MLS Player of the match dayearning the distinction as the standout star of Matchday 2. It is the 13th time since joining Inter Miami that the Argentine forward has claimed the honor.

That number is enough to move Messi into third place on the all-time list for the award. Last season he reached twelfth place, level with New York Red Bulls icon Bradley Wright-Phillipsand now, with his last recognition, he has passed the Englishman.

Messi gets closer to Donovan’s goal

Landon Donovan has left an indelible mark on both the USMNT and MLS, with the league’s season award bearing his name as a testament to his legacy. But Messi’s continued excellence in the competition now threatens one of Donovan’s most celebrated records.

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The USMNT icon holds the all-time record for MLS Player of the Matchday honors 19followed by the Columbus Crew legend Jeff Cunningham with 14. Messi, now at 13, is third – and firmly in the rear-view mirror of both.

Since arriving at Inter Miami midway through the 2023 season, Messi has built significant momentum, collecting 12 Player of the Matchday honors in his first two full seasons. In reality, he became the first player in the league’s history to win the award six times in consecutive seasons.

If you do the math, with one of the two Matchday honors already claimed this season (the other going to New York Red Bulls star Julian Hall), Another six recognitions over the course of 2026 would be a realistic goal for Messi. With his contract running until December 2028, it seems not just a question of if, and more of a question of when, provided he can maintain his current form, that he will surpass not only Cunningham but Donovan’s legendary record.