Lionel Messi has become the first player in Major League Soccer history to win back-to-back Golden Boot awards. The Inter Miami forward finished the 2026 regular season with a league-high 26 goals, according to ESPN. This feat separates him from every other striker in the league’s short history. At 39 years old, Messi is not just scoring; he is dominating the statistical landscape while others struggle to keep pace.
The numbers tell the whole story without any need for hype. Messi recorded 26 goals in 31 appearances (29 starts). He also added 17 assists, giving him a total of 43 goal contributions for the season. This massive output came despite a disappointing 3-3 draw with Charlotte FC in his final regular-season game on Saturday. Miami surrendered a three-goal lead in that match, but the result did not change Messi’s standing. He finished four clear of his nearest rival, FC Dallas forward Petar Musa.
Respect Earned Through Work
Talent gets you on the field, but consistency keeps you there. Messi has now been the top scorer in multiple MLS regular seasons, a feat only six players have ever achieved. His coach, Cristian “Kily” González, sees the effort behind the stats. González also noted that “None of them can compare to him when it comes to respect for his colleagues.”
This respect is not just talk. In 2025, Messi secured the Golden Boot by netting 29 goals across only 28 matches. He followed that up with 26 goals this year. Inter Miami advanced to second place in the Eastern Conference thanks to his efforts. The team clinched a playoff spot and secured a ticket to the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup, their fourth straight time. Messi is now the front-runner to win the league MVP award again, having already won it in 2024 and 2025.
Rivalry Records and Playoff Stakes
While Messi claimed the individual title, the team battle saw a different outcome. Following a 2-0 Saturday victory over FC Cincinnati, Nashville SC established a new MLS single-season points record of 77. “It’s a massive achievement for the club, for us as players, and yeah, it’s going to go down in history, and I think that was the message before the game,” Surridge said. Nashville also set records for most wins and fewest losses.
Inter Miami finished with 60 points, well behind Nashville’s total but enough for the second seed. The seventh-seeded Columbus Crew will face Miami in a best-of-three first-round playoff series where Miami holds home-field advantage.
