Lionel Messi has secured a place in Major League Soccer history by becoming the first player to win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons. The Inter Miami forward led the league with 26 goals in 2026, making him the sixth player to top the regular-season scoring standings more than once.
Messi reached that total in 31 appearances, including 29 starts, and added 17 assists. His combined 43 goal contributions were also the most in the league. The 39-year-old, who retired from international duty with Argentina last month, ended the scoring race four goals ahead of FC Dallas forward Petar Musa of Croatia. Nashville SC's Sam Surridge took third with 21 after scoring twice on the final day.
The scoring award follows a 2025 campaign in which Messi produced 29 goals across 28 regular-season matches. Denis Bouanga and Surridge finished behind him that year with 24 apiece, while Messi also led MLS with 19 assists. The eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient won the league's MVP award for those performances, having previously claimed it in 2024, his first full season with Miami.
Messi remains the front-runner for the 2026 MVP award and would become its first three-time winner if selected. Miami coach Cristian "Kily" González recently backed him for further individual recognition, saying: "I have no doubt that he's the best of all." González also said Messi's performances at his age merited both the MVP award and the Ballon d'Or.
Miami's final regular-season match on Saturday brought no additional goals for Messi and a frustrating finish for his team. The club drew 3-3 with Charlotte FC after building a three-goal advantage before halftime. Ian Fray opened the scoring in the 14th minute following a Messi corner. Luis Suárez then finished from close range in the 33rd after Germán Berterame headed another Messi corner toward goal.
Rodrigo De Paul extended the lead with a shot from outside the penalty area in the 42nd minute. Charlotte responded through Liel Abada, who scored in the 50th and 55th minutes. Rodolfo Aloko completed the comeback in the 90th, converting the rebound after Tyger Smalls struck the post.
Miami ended the regular season with 60 points and second place in the Eastern Conference after third-place New England fell 1-0 at Orlando. Nashville defeated Cincinnati 2-0 to reach 77 points, surpassing the MLS single-season record of 74 that Miami established in 2024.
Messi's contributions helped Miami secure both a playoff berth and qualification for a fourth consecutive edition of the Concacaf Champions Cup. Miami will have home advantage against the seventh-seeded Columbus Crew in a best-of-three series in the opening round of the playoffs.
