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Lionel Messi Leads MLS Best XI 2025: Inter Miami Star Makes History With...

Lionel Messi, the top goal scorer in MLS this season, was among the players named to the league’s Best XI squad on Wednesday, a lineup featuring six first-time honorees. Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup victory, scored a league-high 29 goals for Inter Miami and also led MLS with 19 assists, becoming only the second player to top both goals and assists in the same season. Other forwards in the elite lineup included Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC from Gabon and Anders Dreyer from San Diego FC from Denmark. Minnesota United’s Dayne St. Clair was named the Best XI goalkeeper, with defenders including Vancouver’s Tristan Blackmon, Orlando City’s Alex Freeman, and Philadelphia Union’s Jakob Glesnes of Norway and Kai Wagner of Germany. Midfielders on the squad included Sebastian Berhalter from Vancouver, Evander of Brazil from Cincinnati, and Cristian Roldan from Seattle. Canadian St. Clair was awarded MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Blackmon was chosen as MLS Defender of the Year, and Dreyer was named MLS Newcomer of the Year. 3. Lionel Messi · Forward · Inter Miami CFMessi won the 2025 MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals and 19 assists, just one contribution shy of Carlos Vela’s record. His leadership and brilliance drove Inter Miami’s attack, making him a top contender for back-to-back Landon Donovan MVP honours, another first in MLS history. 4. Sebastian Berhalter · Midfielder · Vancouver Whitecaps FCBerhalter had a breakout year, driving Vancouver’s record-setting season. He helped the club reach the Concacaf Champions Cup final and win a fourth consecutive Canadian Championship. His performances earned him a key role with the U.S. national team at the 2025 Gold Cup. 2. Anders Dreyer · Forward · San Diego FCIn his debut season, Dreyer was unstoppable, scoring 19 goals and assisting 19 more. His 38 goal contributions tied the MLS record for a first-year player. The Danish forward helped San Diego FC become the best-ever expansion team, earning the Western Conference’s top playoff seed. 5. Evander · Midfielder · FC CincinnatiThe Brazilian playmaker shone with 18 goals and 15 assists in his first season at Cincinnati. One of only three players to post back-to-back 15-goal, 15-assist campaigns, Evander led his new club to a strong second-place league finish, cementing his place among MLS’s top midfielders. 6. Cristian Roldan · Midfielder · Seattle Sounders FCRoldan delivered his best season yet, leading Seattle in minutes, starts, and completed passes. He was the only MLS player with over 1,800 passes, at least nine assists, and three or more goals. His consistent play helped the Sounders lift the 2025 Leagues Cup and earned him a U.S. recall. 7. Tristan Blackmon · Defender · Vancouver Whitecaps FCBlackmon anchored Vancouver’s strong defence and was named MLS Defender of the Year. His presence ensured the Whitecaps allowed just 38 goals and kept 13 clean sheets. In his 25 league matches, the team conceded barely over a goal per game, proving his crucial impact at the back. 8. Alex Freeman · Defender · Orlando CityFreeman’s rise has been incredible. Starting 2025 in MLS NEXT Pro, he ended it as an All-Star, Young Player of the Year, and now a Best XI honouree. The 21-year-old right back scored six goals, provided three assists, and was one of the league’s most dynamic young defenders. 9. Jakob Glesnes · Defender · Philadelphia UnionReturning to the Best XI after 2022, Glesnes was once again the heart of Philadelphia’s defence. His 2,626 minutes ranked second on the team as the Union conceded the fewest goals in MLS (35). His leadership helped Philadelphia secure their second Supporters’ Shield title in three seasons. 10. Kai Wagner · Defender · Philadelphia UnionWagner’s consistency was vital to Philadelphia’s success. The left back led all MLS defenders with 11 assists and added two goals. His tireless play and defensive skill were key to the Union’s Supporters’ Shield triumph, earning him a well-deserved second Best XI appearance. 11. Dayne St. Clair · Goalkeeper · Minnesota United FCSt. Clair capped a stellar year by winning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honours. He kept 10 clean sheets, made 113 saves, and led Minnesota to their best season ever. With a 77.9% save rate and just one goal allowed per game, he’s Canada’s top World Cup hopeful.

News18,Ritayan Basu •
Lionel Messi Leads MLS Best XI 2025: Inter Miami Star Makes History With...

Lionel Messi, the top goal scorer in MLS this season, was among the players named to the league’s Best XI squad on Wednesday, a lineup featuring six first-time honorees. Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup victory, scored a league-high 29 goals for Inter Miami and also led MLS with 19 assists, becoming only the second player to top both goals and assists in the same season. Other forwards in the elite lineup included Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC from Gabon and Anders Dreyer from San Diego FC from Denmark. Minnesota United’s Dayne St. Clair was named the Best XI goalkeeper, with defenders including Vancouver’s Tristan Blackmon, Orlando City’s Alex Freeman, and Philadelphia Union’s Jakob Glesnes of Norway and Kai Wagner of Germany. Midfielders on the squad included Sebastian Berhalter from Vancouver, Evander of Brazil from Cincinnati, and Cristian Roldan from Seattle. Canadian St. Clair was awarded MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Blackmon was chosen as MLS Defender of the Year, and Dreyer was named MLS Newcomer of the Year.
3. Lionel Messi · Forward · Inter Miami CFMessi won the 2025 MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals and 19 assists, just one contribution shy of Carlos Vela’s record. His leadership and brilliance drove Inter Miami’s attack, making him a top contender for back-to-back Landon Donovan MVP honours, another first in MLS history.
4. Sebastian Berhalter · Midfielder · Vancouver Whitecaps FCBerhalter had a breakout year, driving Vancouver’s record-setting season. He helped the club reach the Concacaf Champions Cup final and win a fourth consecutive Canadian Championship. His performances earned him a key role with the U.S. national team at the 2025 Gold Cup.
2. Anders Dreyer · Forward · San Diego FCIn his debut season, Dreyer was unstoppable, scoring 19 goals and assisting 19 more. His 38 goal contributions tied the MLS record for a first-year player. The Danish forward helped San Diego FC become the best-ever expansion team, earning the Western Conference’s top playoff seed.
5. Evander · Midfielder · FC CincinnatiThe Brazilian playmaker shone with 18 goals and 15 assists in his first season at Cincinnati. One of only three players to post back-to-back 15-goal, 15-assist campaigns, Evander led his new club to a strong second-place league finish, cementing his place among MLS’s top midfielders.
6. Cristian Roldan · Midfielder · Seattle Sounders FCRoldan delivered his best season yet, leading Seattle in minutes, starts, and completed passes. He was the only MLS player with over 1,800 passes, at least nine assists, and three or more goals. His consistent play helped the Sounders lift the 2025 Leagues Cup and earned him a U.S. recall.
7. Tristan Blackmon · Defender · Vancouver Whitecaps FCBlackmon anchored Vancouver’s strong defence and was named MLS Defender of the Year. His presence ensured the Whitecaps allowed just 38 goals and kept 13 clean sheets. In his 25 league matches, the team conceded barely over a goal per game, proving his crucial impact at the back.
8. Alex Freeman · Defender · Orlando CityFreeman’s rise has been incredible. Starting 2025 in MLS NEXT Pro, he ended it as an All-Star, Young Player of the Year, and now a Best XI honouree. The 21-year-old right back scored six goals, provided three assists, and was one of the league’s most dynamic young defenders.
9. Jakob Glesnes · Defender · Philadelphia UnionReturning to the Best XI after 2022, Glesnes was once again the heart of Philadelphia’s defence. His 2,626 minutes ranked second on the team as the Union conceded the fewest goals in MLS (35). His leadership helped Philadelphia secure their second Supporters’ Shield title in three seasons.
10. Kai Wagner · Defender · Philadelphia UnionWagner’s consistency was vital to Philadelphia’s success. The left back led all MLS defenders with 11 assists and added two goals. His tireless play and defensive skill were key to the Union’s Supporters’ Shield triumph, earning him a well-deserved second Best XI appearance.
11. Dayne St. Clair · Goalkeeper · Minnesota United FCSt. Clair capped a stellar year by winning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honours. He kept 10 clean sheets, made 113 saves, and led Minnesota to their best season ever. With a 77.9% save rate and just one goal allowed per game, he’s Canada’s top World Cup hopeful.

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