Lionel Messi wins MLS Golden Boot for second consecutive time

Lionel Messi has won the 2026 MLS Golden Boot as the league’s top scorer, becoming the first player in the league’s 30-year history to win the award in consecutive seasons. The Inter Miami attacker finished the 2026 season with 26 goals in 31 matches, four goals more than runner-up Petar Musa of FC Dallas.

Historic Back-to-Back Achievement

With his repeat win, Messi becomes the sixth player in MLS history to win the Golden Boot multiple times. However, he is the first to achieve the honor in back-to-back years. Last season, Messi won the award with 29 goals in 28 matches, a total 5 goals more than the runner-up at that time. His 2026 campaign saw him lead the race for most of the year, solidifying his status as the league’s premier goal scorer. The list of previous multiple winners includes Preki (1997, 2003), Taylor Twellman (2002, 2005), Jeff Cunningham (2006, 2009), Bradley Wright-Phillips (2014, 2016), and Chris Wondolowski (2010, 2012).

Statistical Dominance

Messi’s statistical performance in the 2026 season was marked by consistent production. He averaged .84 goals per game and amassed 43 total goal contributions. The Argentine international had six multi-goal games and scored just one of his 26 goals from the penalty spot. His non-penalty goal total of 25 is the second-highest single-season non-penalty total in MLS history, trailing only his own 28 non-penalty goals from the previous season. During the 2026 season, Messi scored four goals in a 7-1 win for Inter Miami against CF Montreal on Aug. 29, 2026, at NU Stadium.

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On the Verge of Another MVP

The Golden Boot win adds to another potential individual honor for Messi. He is also the favorite to win the league’s MVP award, a prize he has won for the past two consecutive seasons. A 2026 MVP victory would make it his third straight win of the league’s top individual prize. This season’s top scorers included Sam Surridge of Nashville SC with 21 goals and Brian White of the Vancouver Whitecaps with 20 goals. Milan Iloski of the Philadelphia Union finished with 19 goals. The league’s commissioner, Don Garber, presented the Golden Boot award to Messi before a playoff game on Oct. 24, 2025.