With MLS Cup Playoffs in full swing, the finalists for end-of-season awards have been announced. They were determined from a vote including MLS players, staff, and members of the media with the three groups making up 33.

Major League Soccer announced its Landon Donovan MVP finalists on Thursday, with the Inter Miami forward pair of Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez highlighting

The Inter Miami star's $20.4 million in total compensation for 2024 dwarfs the team payrolls of most MLS franchises.

With the MLS season over and playoffs underway, it's time to take a look at end-of-season awards. It's important to remember that only league play is taken into account here so for players like Cucho Hernandez who had impressive exploits in Concacaf Champions Cup,

The Argentine legend's $12 million base salary and $20,446,667 in total compensation from Inter Miami topped MLS by a wide margin.

In addition to Messi, Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez is among five finalists for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP announced on Thursday. The others include Evander from the Portland Timbers, Cucho Hernandez of the Columbus Crew and D.C. United’s Christian Benteke, who also won this season’s Golden Boot for most goals.

Major League Soccer named Lionel Messi a finalist for the 2024 MLS MVP award, joining his Inter Miami CF teammate Luis Suárez, as well as Cucho Hernández, Evander and Christian Benteke on the list.

Lionel Messi is among the finalists for Major League Soccer's MVP award for this season. In addition to Messi, Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez is among five finalists for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP announced on Thursday.

How can Miami pay Messi so much with a salary cap? At $20.4 million, Messi is not just the highest-paid player in MLS but paid more than the entire rosters of 22 individual teams.