JUST IN: MLS MVP Rankings 2025: Tai Baribo and Diego Rossi Emerge as Top Contenders, Messi Slips
As the 2025 MLS season approaches its midway point, the MVP race has taken a dramatic turn. While Lionel Messi began the year as the frontrunner after a stellar 2024 campaign, two rising stars-TaiBaribo of the Philadelphia Union and Diego Rossi of the Columbus Crew—have vaulted into the spotlight, pushing the Argentine icon down the rankings.
Baribo, a 26-year-old striker from Israel, has become the heart of Philadelphia’s attack. With 11 goals and 5 assists in just 13 appearances, Baribo’s efficiency and knack for scoring in clutch moments have made him one of the league’s most feared forwards. His chemistry with midfielders Dániel Gazdag and Jack McGlynn has elevated the Union’s offense to a new level, positioning the club among the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
Other notable mentions in the current MVP race include Cristian Arango of Real Salt Lake and Héctor Herrera of Houston Dynamo, both of whom have had standout seasons. However, it’s Baribo and Rossi who have captured the imagination of fans and analysts alike with their game-changing performances.
With plenty of the season left to play, the MVP race remains wide open. But as things stand, Tai Baribo and Diego Rossi have emerged as the clear frontrunners, proving that MLS’s most prestigious individual honor is no longer a one-man race. All eyes will now be on how these rising stars perform down the stretch—and whether Messi can mount a comeback to reclaim his crown.