Lionel Messi, Sebastian Berhalter Headline MLS Best XI for 2025 Season

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi headlined MLS' Best XI for the 2025 season.

LAFC's Denis Bouanga and San Diego FC's Anders Dreyer, both MVP finalists, joined Messi along the front line. The midfield included FC Cincinnati's Evander and the Vancouver Whitecaps' Sebastian Berhalter, who's the son of former United States men's coach Gregg Berhalter.

Berhalter and Dreyer are among the six players in the Best XI for the first time.

Berhalter, who's in his sixth season, had four goals and 11 assists in 29 games for Vancouver. The 24-year-old has grown to become a key cog for the Whitecaps.

Dreyer might've been headed to the MVP if not for Messi's late flurry at the end of the regular season. The Danish midfielder scored 19 goals and tied Messi for the league lead in assists with 19. San Diego also collected the most points ever (63) for an MLS expansion franchise.

That amounted to a strong MVP resume.

And yet, Messi continues to operate at a level above his peers, even at the age of 38. His 48 goal contributions — he scored 29 on his own — were one away from setting the single-season record.

In Inter Miami's final game of the regular season, Messi notched a hat trick in a 5-2 win over Nashville SC.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner signed an extension with Miami to keep him under contract through 2028. It might be safe to pencil him in for the MLS Best XI in 2026 and 2027.