Lionel Messi has made Major League Soccer history by becoming the first player to win the Golden Boot in successive seasons.
The Inter Miami forward scored 26 goals in 31 appearances, finishing four goals ahead of FC Dallas striker Peter Musa and five clear of Nashville’s English forward Sam Surridge.
Messi is only the sixth player to claim the award twice. He joins an exclusive group that includes former Charlton Athletic and Southampton striker Bradley Wright-Phillips.
The 39-year-old also provided 17 assists during the MLS season, giving him 43 goal contributions in total. That was the best figure in the league for a second consecutive year.
Messi’s latest individual achievement comes as he attempts to secure another piece of MLS history. He is among the contenders to become the first player to win the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award three times.
The World Cup winner was named MVP in 2024, when Inter Miami won the Supporters’ Shield title. He received the award again in 2025, the year the club won the MLS Cup.
Despite Messi’s goals and assists, Inter Miami did not finish top of the Eastern Conference. They ended the regular season 17 points behind Nashville, led by Surridge.
Inter Miami will now meet Columbus Crew in the first round of the MLS Cup play-offs. The series will be played over three games, with the play-offs beginning later this month.
