Messi becomes first player to win MLS Golden Boot in consecutive seasons

Lionel Messi has become the first player in Major League Soccer (MLS) history to win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons, according to BBC Sport and ESPN.

The Inter Miami forward, 39, scored 26 goals in 31 appearances during the 2026 regular season. He also won the award in 2025. He is the sixth player to finish as the regular season's top scorer more than once.

Messi finished four goals ahead of FC Dallas forward Musa, the second-highest scorer. Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge finished with 21 goals.

Messi also recorded 17 assists, for a league-high 43 goal contributions. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner won the MLS Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 2024 and 2025. A win in 2026 would make him the first player to win it three times. He no longer plays for the Argentina national team. ESPN reports that he retired from it last month.

Inter Miami did not finish first in the Eastern Conference. The team ended 17 points behind Nashville SC. It will face Columbus Crew in a best-of-three first-round playoff series.

Other reported details

According to ESPN, Messi made 29 starts. In 2025, he scored 29 goals in 28 regular-season games and had a league-high 19 assists. BBC Sport reports that he led the league in goal contributions for a second consecutive year. BBC Sport also names former Charlton Athletic and Southampton striker Bradley Wright-Phillips among the other two-time winners. The reports do not identify the other four.

Messi did not score in Miami's final regular-season game on Saturday, according to ESPN. Miami drew 3-3 with Charlotte FC after leading 3-0 at halftime. Miami's first two goals followed Messi corner kicks. Surridge scored twice on the final day.

According to ESPN, Miami finished second in the East with 60 points. Nashville finished with 77 points, breaking Miami's single-season record of 74, set in 2024. ESPN says Miami will have home advantage against seventh-seeded Columbus. BBC Sport says the playoffs begin later this month. The reports do not give exact dates for the series or for the 2026 MVP announcement. They do not quote any MLS statement on the Golden Boot.

What is disputed

The reports differ on the FC Dallas forward's first name. BBC Sport spells it "Peter". ESPN spells it "Petar" and describes him as a Croatia forward.

What each side says

Inter Miami coach Cristian "Kily" González praised Messi. ESPN quoted him as saying: "I have no doubt that he's the best of all." He added: "Leo at his age and what he does, from my point of view, deserves the MVP and also the Ballon d'Or. I hope he can achieve it." ESPN says he spoke recently. The reports do not say when or where. According to ESPN, Messi remains the front-runner for the 2026 MVP award.

Analysis

Messi's second straight scoring title adds to a record that already includes two MVP awards. If he wins the 2026 MVP award, he would set a new league mark. ESPN describes him as the front-runner, but no announcement date is given in the reports reviewed by Vocemundi. His individual output contrasts with his team's position. Inter Miami finished 17 points behind Nashville SC. Several outcomes remain open for the playoff series against Columbus Crew. ESPN reports that he retired from the Argentina national team last month. Whether that affects his club form or workload is not addressed in the reports.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.