Key points
- Lionel Messi became the first player in Major League Soccer history to win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons.
- The Inter Miami forward scored 26 goals in 31 regular-season matches in 2026.
- Messi finished four goals ahead of FC Dallas forward Petar Musa, who scored 22, while Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge had 21.
- Messi won the 2025 Golden Boot with 29 goals in 28 regular-season appearances.
- The Argentine recorded 17 assists in 2026, taking his total goal contributions to 43.
- Messi became the sixth player in MLS history to win the Golden Boot more than once.
- Inter Miami finished second in the Eastern Conference and are scheduled to face Columbus Crew in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs, which begin on November 19.
Lionel Messi has added another milestone to his remarkable career, becoming the first player in Major League Soccer history to win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons. The Inter Miami captain secured the 2026 award after finishing the regular season with 26 goals in 31 appearances, the league announced on November 7.
Messi finished four goals clear of FC Dallas forward Petar Musa, who scored 22 times, while Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge ended the campaign with 21. The achievement makes Messi only the sixth player to win the MLS Golden Boot more than once, but the first to do so in successive seasons.
Messi sets a new MLS scoring benchmark
The Argentine had already claimed the scoring title in 2025, when he struck 29 goals in 28 regular-season matches. His latest award confirms his sustained scoring output across two campaigns and establishes a record that no previous MLS Golden Boot winner had achieved.
Messi’s 2026 total came from 31 regular-season appearances. He scored 26 times and supplied 17 assists, giving him 43 goal contributions. According to MLS, that was the highest contribution total in the league during the season and the third-highest single-season tally in its history.
His output was not built primarily on penalties. Only one of his 26 goals came from the spot, leaving him with 25 non-penalty goals. That figure was the second-highest in a single MLS season, behind the 28 non-penalty goals he scored in 2025.
A place among the league’s repeat winners
Messi joins a small group of players who have won the award on multiple occasions. The previous repeat winners are Preki, Taylor Twellman, Jeff Cunningham, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Chris Wondolowski. Their wins came in separate seasons, making Messi the first to turn successive scoring titles into consecutive Golden Boot awards.
The league’s scoring race also highlighted the competition Messi faced in 2026. Musa finished second with 22 goals, while Surridge scored 21. Messi’s four-goal advantage over Musa gave him a clear margin at the top of the standings by the end of the regular season.
His broader consistency is reflected in another MLS milestone: he became the first player in league history to register at least 40 goal contributions in consecutive seasons. His 2025 campaign included 29 goals and 19 assists, while his 2026 tally comprised 26 goals and 17 assists.
Inter Miami turn towards the playoffs
The individual award arrives as Inter Miami prepare for the MLS Cup playoffs. The club finished the regular season second in the Eastern Conference and are set to face Columbus Crew in a best-of-three first-round series. The playoffs are scheduled to begin on November 19.
Messi’s Golden Boot is another major individual achievement in his time in the United States. Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, he has helped the club win the Leagues Cup in 2023, the Supporters’ Shield in 2024 and the MLS Cup in 2025. He was also named Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player in both 2024 and 2025.
The next potential milestone is the league’s MVP award. Messi is in contention to become the first three-time winner of the Landon Donovan MLS MVP honour. He has already made history by winning it in consecutive seasons, and his 2026 scoring and creative numbers strengthen his case for another recognition.
Another record in an extraordinary career
At 39, Messi continues to produce decisive numbers in a league that has seen several prolific forwards over its three-decade history. Winning the Golden Boot twice in a row is a distinct achievement from simply collecting multiple scoring titles: it requires finishing as the league’s leading scorer in consecutive campaigns.
His latest award also underlines the scale of his influence beyond goals alone. With 17 assists alongside his 26 strikes, Messi finished the regular season at the top of the league’s goal-contribution chart. Inter Miami will now look to carry that form into the postseason, while Messi has already secured his place in MLS history with the back-to-back Golden Boots.
Frequently asked questions
Has Lionel Messi won the MLS Golden Boot in consecutive seasons?
Yes. Messi became the first player in Major League Soccer history to win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons. He claimed the award in 2025 with 29 goals and retained it in 2026 after scoring 26 times in 31 regular-season appearances for Inter Miami.
How many goals did Lionel Messi score in the 2026 MLS season?
Messi scored 26 goals in 31 regular-season matches in 2026. He finished four goals ahead of FC Dallas forward Petar Musa, who scored 22, and seven ahead of Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge, who ended the season with 21 goals.
Who finished second behind Messi in the 2026 MLS Golden Boot race?
FC Dallas forward Petar Musa finished second in the 2026 MLS scoring race with 22 goals. Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge was next with 21. Messi topped the list with 26 goals and secured the Golden Boot for the second consecutive season.
How many assists did Messi record in the 2026 MLS regular season?
Messi recorded 17 assists to go with his 26 goals in the 2026 regular season. His 43 total goal contributions were the highest in the league and the third-highest single-season total in MLS history, according to the league’s announcement.
Which team will Inter Miami face in the 2026 MLS Cup playoffs?
Inter Miami finished the regular season second in the Eastern Conference and are scheduled to face Columbus Crew in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs. The postseason is scheduled to begin on November 19, with the opening round played as a best-of-three series.