Lionel Messi wins second consecutive MLS Golden Boot
The Argentine finished the 2026 MLS regular season with 26 goals in 31 games, becoming the first player in league history to win the award in back-to-back seasons.
Lionel Messi continues to rewrite history in American football. The Inter Miami captain has officially claimed the 2026 MLS Golden Boot after finishing the regular season as the league's top scorer.
The Argentine recorded 26 goals in 31 appearances, marking a historic milestone. He is now the first player in the history of Major League Soccer to win this individual award in two consecutive seasons.
Messi dominated the scoring charts again, following his 2025 campaign where he tallied 29 goals in 28 matches. This season, he finished four goals ahead of FC Dallas forward Petar Musa, who finished with 22, while Nashville SC's Sam Surridge followed with 21.
Beyond his scoring, Messi provided 17 assists, bringing his total direct goal contributions to 43 this season. This achievement makes him the first player in league history to record at least 40 goal contributions in two consecutive seasons.
Remarkably, only one of his 26 goals came from the penalty spot, highlighting his efficiency in open play. With a scoring average of 0.87 goals per game and six multi-goal matches, the Inter Miami star reaffirmed his offensive dominance in the competition.