Sports
Lionel Messi makes MLS history as the first player to win the Golden Boot in back-to-back seasons
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi led MLS with 26 goals and 43 goal contributions to become the first back-to-back Golden Boot winner in league history.
Lionel Messi keeps adding to his list of firsts in America.
The Inter Miami star has been named the winner of the 2026 MLS Golden Boot. He is the first player in league history to win the scoring title in back-to-back seasons.
Messi scored a league-high 26 goals this year. He also added 17 assists and led MLS with 43 goal contributions.
Ahead of the pack
FC Dallas striker Petar Musa finished second with 22 goals. Nashville SC's Sam Surridge was third with 21.
Messi joins Bradley Wright-Phillips, Chris Wondolowski, Jeff Cunningham, Taylor Twellman and Preki as the only two-time winners of the award. He took it in 2025 with 29 goals and 19 assists.
The honor comes just months after the Argentine great won the Silver Boot at the 2026 World Cup while leading Argentina to the final. He retired from the national team this year.
More could be coming
Messi could also become the first three-time winner of the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award. Voting closed Monday night and the finalists will be announced Thursday.
Second-seeded Miami now turns to the playoffs. Messi and Inter Miami face the seventh-seeded Columbus Crew in a best-of-three first-round series.
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