Lionel Messi wins MLS Golden Boot for second consecutive time

Lionel Messi has done it again, adding another trophy to his stuffed trophy case. The Inter Miami attacker earned the MLS Golden Boot as the top scorer in the 2026 season. Messi led the race for most of the year and finished with 26 goals in 31 matches, four goals more than second-place Petar Musa, FC Dallas ' Croatia international. Last season, Messi had 29 goals in 28 matches, with the runner-up having 24 goals. With the repeat win, Messi becomes the sixth player in the league's three-decade history who won the award on multiple occasions – though he is the first to win it in back-to-back years. Messi topped other statistical categories as well, with .84 goals per game and 43 goal contributions. He had six multi-goal games and hit just one of his goals this season from the penalty spot. His non-penalty goal total of 25 goals is the second-highest total for a single MLS season behind what he did last year when he scored 28. Messi also is the favorite to win the MVP award. It would be his third consecutive time winning the league's top individual prize. Repeat MLS Golden Boot winners Preki, Kansas City Wizards (1997, 2003) Taylor Twellman, New England Revolution (2002, 2005) Jeff Cunningham, Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas (2006, 2009) Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls (2014, 2016) Chris Wondolowski, San Jose Earthquakes (2010, 2012) Lionel Messi, Inter Miami (2025, 2026) 2026 MLS leading goal-scorers Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) - 26 Petar Musa (FC Dallas) - 22 Sam Surridge (Nashville SC) - 21 Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps) - 20 Milan Iloski (Philadelphia Union) - 19