Lionel Messi has secured his second consecutive Major League Soccer Golden Boot after finishing the 2026 regular season as the league’s leading scorer with 26 goals for Inter Miami. The Argentine captain made history by becoming the first player in MLS history to win the award in consecutive seasons, following his 2025 triumph when he scored 29 goals. Announced by MLS on November 7, the latest achievement also makes Messi the sixth player in the league’s history to win the Golden Boot more than once. He finished ahead of FC Dallas forward Petar Musa, who recorded 22 goals, and Nashville SC striker Sam Surridge, who scored 21.
Across 31 regular-season appearances, Messi combined his 26 goals with 17 assists to register 43 goal contributions, the highest total in the league. According to Al Jazeera and BBC, he also ranked first in goals per game, averaging 0.84, and recorded six multi-goal performances. Remarkably, only one of his 26 goals came from the penalty spot, leaving him with 25 non-penalty goals. His performances continued a remarkable scoring run in North America, taking his regular-season tally to 75 goals over three seasons since joining Inter Miami in July 2023. He also became the first player in MLS history to record at least 40 goal contributions in consecutive seasons.
Messi’s latest individual honour adds to an extraordinary period for Inter Miami, which has established itself as one of the league’s leading clubs since his arrival. The team finished second in the Eastern Conference with 60 points and secured a place in the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs, where it is scheduled to face Columbus Crew in the opening round. As reported by AFP and ChannelsTv, Messi contributed to Inter Miami’s final regular-season fixture against Charlotte FC on November 7, providing two assists from corner kicks in a 3-3 draw, although he did not score. His consecutive Golden Boot victories further strengthen his influence on the league’s competitive and commercial profile, while placing another historic milestone in a career defined by sustained individual excellence.
