Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi has won the Major League Soccer (MLS) Golden Boot for the second consecutive season, becoming the first player in the competition's history to achieve the feat after finishing the 2026 regular season with 26 goals for Inter Miami.
The 39-year-old forward secured the award despite failing to score in Inter Miami's final regular-season match against Charlotte FC on Saturday, which ended in a 3-3 draw. Messi finished four goals ahead of FC Dallas striker Petar Musa, who scored 22, while Nashville SC's Sam Surridge finished third with 21 goals.
Messi had scored 29 goals during the 2025 campaign, making him only the second player in MLS history to register at least 25 goals in consecutive seasons. His latest achievement also made him the sixth player to win the Golden Boot more than once, joining an exclusive group that includes Bradley Wright-Phillips, Chris Wondolowski and Jeff Cunningham.
๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข'๐ฌ ๐ซ๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐-๐๐ซ๐๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ง
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner delivered another outstanding campaign, scoring 26 goals in 31 regular-season appearances while contributing 17 assists. His combined tally of 43 goal contributions was the highest in the league.
Messi also registered 183 shots during the season, considerably ahead of Philadelphia Union's Milan Iloski, who recorded 122. His 76 shots on target were 25 more than those of his nearest competitor, Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga.
Of his 26 goals, only one came from the penalty spot, highlighting his effectiveness in open play. His 25 non-penalty goals represented the second-highest single-season tally in MLS history, behind his own record of 28 established in 2025.
One of Messi's standout performances came in August when he scored four goals during Inter Miami's emphatic 7-1 victory over CF Montreal.
The Argentine has now scored 55 league goals across the last two seasons and 75 over the previous three campaigns, underlining his continued dominance in American football.
๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ข๐๐ฆ๐ข ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฒ๐จ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ
Inter Miami concluded their regular-season campaign with a dramatic 3-3 draw against Charlotte FC despite holding a commanding three-goal advantage at half-time.
Ian Fray, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul scored for Miami before Charlotte staged a remarkable comeback. Liel Abada struck twice, while Rodolfo Aloko scored a late equaliser to deny the defending champions victory.
Messi did not find the net but provided assists from corners for Miami's opening two goals.
Despite dropping points, Inter Miami finished second in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville SC, securing home-field advantage for the opening two playoff rounds.
The defending MLS Cup champions will face seventh-seeded Columbus Crew in a best-of-three first-round playoff series as they attempt to become the first team since LA Galaxy in 2011 and 2012 to successfully defend the championship.
๐๐ก๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ
Messi is also in contention to win the MLS Most Valuable Player award for a third consecutive season, having previously claimed the honour in 2024 and 2025.
He became the first player in league history to win the MVP award in successive seasons and could further extend that record if selected again.
The award is determined through voting involving players, club officials and media representatives, with individual performances and overall contributions taken into consideration.
Messi's latest Golden Boot adds another milestone to a career already filled with individual and team honours. His consistency in front of goal has remained central to Inter Miami's attacking strength, with the club scoring a league-high 80 goals during the regular season.
With the Golden Boot secured, the Argentine will now turn his attention to the MLS Cup playoffs as Inter Miami seek another championship triumph.