New Delhi: Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has won the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) Golden Boot after finishing the regular season with 26 goals, becoming the first player in league history to claim the scoring award in consecutive seasons.
The 39-year-old Argentine finished four goals ahead of FC Dallas forward Petar Musa, who scored 22 goals, while Vancouver Whitecaps FC striker Brian White secured third place with 20 goals. Messi also became only the sixth player in MLS history to win the Golden Boot more than once.
Messi dominates scoring charts
Playing his fourth MLS season, Messi topped the scoring charts despite appearing in just 31 regular-season matches. Along with his 26 goals, he registered 17 assists, taking his total goal contributions to 43 — the third-highest tally recorded in a single MLS season.
Messi led the league in goals per game, averaging 0.87, and shared the top position for the most multi-goal performances with six. He also ranked second in goals per 90 minutes, with an average of 0.91.
His scoring figures were particularly impressive from open play. Only one of his 26 goals came from the penalty spot, leaving him with 25 non-penalty goals. That is the second-highest single-season tally in MLS history, behind his own record of 28 non-penalty goals in 2025.
Historic back-to-back Golden Boot wins
The latest award extends Messi’s remarkable consistency in front of goal. After scoring 29 goals during the 2025 regular season, he became only the second player in MLS history to score at least 25 goals in consecutive regular seasons.
Across the last three campaigns, Messi has scored 75 regular-season goals, the second-highest tally by any player over a three-season period in the league’s history.
He is also only the second player, alongside 2023 Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga, to score at least 20 goals in three successive seasons.
The achievement underlines Messi’s ability to maintain an exceptional scoring rate despite the demands of a long league campaign. His performances have consistently placed him among the most productive attacking players in the competition.
First player to record 40-plus contributions in consecutive seasons
Messi’s influence at Inter Miami has extended well beyond finding the net. His 43 goal contributions in 2026 made him the first player in MLS history to record at least 40 goal contributions in consecutive seasons.
His overall numbers across the 2024–2026 period further highlight his impact. During these three seasons, Messi accumulated 127 goal contributions through goals and assists.
That figure is 28 more than the 98 recorded by the next-best player, Evander, over the same period.
The statistics reflect Messi’s importance to Inter Miami, where his scoring, creativity and ability to influence attacking play have made him central to the club’s performances.
Another milestone in an illustrious career
At 39, Messi continues to set records in one of the most productive phases of his career in the United States. Winning the Golden Boot for a second consecutive season adds another individual distinction to his already extensive collection of honours.
His latest achievement also reinforces his standing in MLS history. With consecutive scoring titles, three successive seasons of at least 20 goals and record-breaking goal contributions, Messi has continued to demonstrate his influence on the league.