Lionel Messi has been shortlisted for Major League Soccer (MLS) MVP award. Photo: AP
\n\nLionel Messi is firmly in the running for a third consecutive Major League Soccer (MLS) MVP award, but the Argentine superstar has a talented young challenger in 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan.
\n\nThe league announced its finalists for eight individual season-ending awards on Thursday, with the Inter Miami captain and the Philadelphia Union teenager among the five players shortlisted for the prestigious Landon Donovan MVP Award.
\n\nMessi, who has won the honour in each of the past two seasons, enjoyed another prolific campaign, finishing the regular season with a league-best 26 goals. He also registered 17 assists, the second-highest tally in the competition, to strengthen his case for another individual accolade.
\n\nSullivan, meanwhile, emerged as one of the league's most exciting young talents during a breakthrough season with Philadelphia Union. The 17-year-old recorded nine goals and 14 assists in 29 appearances, including 21 starts, and has also earned a nomination for the Young Player of the Year award.
\n\nFC Cincinnati's Evander, Houston Dynamo's Guilherme and Nashville SC's Hany Mukhtar complete the five-player MVP shortlist.
\n\nNashville SC also features prominently in the other award categories after a remarkable regular…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports
