Chicago Fire’s Nemanja Nikolic wins 2018 ESPY Award for Best MLS Player

Chicago Fire striker Nemanja Nikolic received some high-profile recognition for his excellent 2017 campaign on Wednesday night, winning ESPNs ESPY Award for Best MLS Player.

Nikolic was a smash hit in his first MLS season, scoring 24 goals to win the MLS Golden Boot as the leagues top scorer while leading the Fire back to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in five years.

The Hungarian international claimed the ESPY prize ahead of fellow nominees Diego Valeri of the Portland Timbers and the Sporting Kansas City duo of Tim Melia and Ike Opara.

Other soccer categories recognized at this years ESPYs: Cristiano Ronaldo won Best International Men's Soccer Player, while the Chicago Red Stars' Australian striker Sam Kerr won the Best International Women's Soccer Player prize and Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC, U.S. women's national team) won Best NWSL Player.

All-time list of ESPY Best MLS Player winners

2018  Nemanja Nikolic, Chicago Fire 2017 – David Villa, New York City FC 2016 – Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC 2015 – Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy 2014 – Tim Cahill, New York Red Bulls 2013 – Thierry Henry, New York Red Bulls 2012 – David Beckham, LA Galaxy 2011 – Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy 2010 – Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy 2009 – Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy 2008 – David Beckham, LA Galaxy 2007 – Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy 2006 – Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy