Luciano Acosta named 2023 MLS MVP after receiving a HUGE 60% of votes... as he tops 30-man shortlist and beats likes of Lionel Messi, Denis Bouanga and Thiago Almada to the award

Luciano Acosta has romped to victory in the 2023 Major League Soccer MVP voting, beating the likes of countrymen Lionel Messi and Thiago Almada to the award.

The FC Cincinnati midfielder has enjoyed a hugely impressive season with 18 goals and 12 assists to his name, and he could yet steer his team to MLS Cup success.

Acosta received a huge 60.37 percent of the votes, easily beating second-placed LAFC forward Denis Bouanga (14.97%) and Thiago Almada (6.46%).

In a video celebrating his success, the 29-year-old said: 'I'm very proud of this team.

'I think everybody deserves something this year. We deserve more. We have to give it our all. Let's go,' before joking: 'I don't want to go to practice. I won the MVP.'

Acosta and his Cincinnati team-mates face the Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference Final on Saturday night, and a win will see them host either LAFC or Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup Final.

Cincinnati have been far and away the best team in MLS this season and have already sealed the Supporters' Shield trophy.

Acosta, meanwhile, is just the sixth player in league history to record three or more seasons with at least 10 goals and 10 assists.

The Argentine first arrived in America in 2016, joining DC United from Boca Juniors, where he had come through the academy.

He spent four seasons in Washington before heading back south of the border to play for two years in Mexico with Atlas.

Acosta then returned to MLS with Cincinnati, where he has enjoyed an impressive three seasons, improving his goal tally in each year.

Standing at 5-foot-3, he is one of the most diminutive players in the league, but was a very popular choice for the MVP Award in 2023.