Lionel Messi has achieved the MLS Golden Boot for the 2026 season, marking the club’s inaugural winner of the MLS Golden Boot in back-to-back years with his 26 goals for Inter Miami. The Argentinean international kept his impressive goalscoring prowess going all season, closing out the campaign with 22 goals, one more than FC Dallas striker Petar Musa and 21 more than Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge.
Messi also contributed 17 assists, tying for the top in the league on goal contributions with 43. Again, his plays highlighted his value to Inter Miami’s offense, as they get ready for the MLS Cup playoffs. Messi is the sixth player to be named the MLS Golden Boot twice to receive the award. He’s in company of the likes of Chris Wondolowski, Jeff Cunningham, Preki, Taylor Twellman and Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Messi did previously win the prize in 2025 when he scored 29 goals and made 19 assists. But his latest achievement carries extra weight, as his MLS Golden Boot win marked the first time a player won the award in back-to-back seasons. The 39-year-old seasoned campaigner has now become a player of memorable moments, having won the Silver Boot at the FIFA World Cup last year with Argentina in the final.
Then Messi might add another personal feather in his cap when the MLS MVP, Landon Donovan, is announced Monday night. He is in the running to be the first player to earn the honour three times.
