Messi Sets Record With 26 Goals, Leading Miami To Playoffs
The Inter Miami forward becomes the first to win consecutive MLS Golden Boots, finishing four goals ahead of his closest rival.
By Rafael Collins ·
Lionel Messi has secured the Major League Soccer Golden Boot for the second consecutive year, marking a new standard for scoring longevity in the league. The Inter Miami forward finished the 2026 regular season with a league-high 26 goals, a total that places him in rare company among top scorers.
Messi recorded these 26 goals in 31 appearances, including 29 starts. He also tallied 17 assists, bringing his total goal contributions to 43, which is the highest in the league for the season. This output kept him four goals ahead of Petar Musa of FC Dallas, who finished second in the scoring race. Sam Surridge of Nashville SC placed third with 21 goals after scoring twice in the final round of matches.
At 39 years old, Messi is the sixth player in MLS history to lead the league in goals in multiple seasons. He previously won the award in 2025 with 29 goals in 28 games. The 39-year-old retired from the Argentina national team last month, shifting his full focus to his club campaign.
His performance helped Inter Miami secure the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The team finished the regular season with 60 points and locked in a playoff berth. They also earned a spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup for the fourth straight year. Miami clinched this position when third-place New England lost 1-0 to Orlando on the final day.
In his final regular-season match, Messi played in a 3-3 draw against Charlotte FC. Miami led 3-0 at halftime after goals from Ian Fray, Luis Suárez, and Rodrigo De Paul. Charlotte mounted a late comeback with two goals from Liel Abada and a final rebound by Rodolfo Aloko. Messi did not add to his personal tally in that game.
Miami coach Cristian 'Kily' González praised the forward's enduring impact on the squad. 'I have no doubt that he's the best of all,' González said. 'None of them can compare to him when it comes to respect for his colleagues.' González added that Messi deserves the MVP award and the Ballon d'Or given his age and performance.
Messi leads the race for the 2026 MVP trophy. He won the award in 2024 and 2025. A win this year would make him the first player to claim the honor three times. Inter Miami will host the seventh-seeded Columbus Crew in a best-of-three first-round playoff series.
