Lionel Messi has done something no other player in Major League Soccer history has ever done. He won the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons, scoring 26 goals in 31 matches for Inter Miami. Yahoo Sports reported that the Argentine forward is now the sixth player to win the award twice, but the only one to do it back-to-back. This feat separates him from the rest of the league and cements his status as the top scorer in the game.
The numbers tell the story of a player who simply outworks everyone else. Messi finished four goals ahead of FC Dallas striker Petar Musa, who had 22, and five clear of Nashville’s Sam Surridge with 21. The 39-year-old also added 17 assists to his tally, bringing his total goal contributions to 43. That mark led the league for the second year in a row. Multi-goal games yielded six goals for him, while only a single strike came from the penalty spot. His non-penalty total of 25 goals stands as the second-highest single-season mark in MLS history.
A Unique Standard of Excellence
Most players in this league struggle to find the net more than a dozen times a year. Messi scored 26 while playing 31 games and still managed to be the top playmaker. He averages 0.84 goals per game, a rate that dwarfs the competition. The previous winners of this award in back-to-back years include legends like Preki and Taylor Twellman, yet none did it with the sheer volume of scoring Messi has put up. He is not just scoring; he is creating chances for others while doing it. This dual threat makes him nearly impossible to defend against.
Inter Miami led the league in scoring with 80 goals total during the season. That team success rests heavily on the shoulders of one man. While the team finished second in the Eastern Conference standings, their offensive output was unmatched. The gap between Messi and the runner-up shows a clear hierarchy in the league. Other players like Brian White and Milan Iloski had breakout seasons, but they could not close the gap on the Argentine star. His consistency over two full seasons proves this was not a lucky streak.
The Quest for a Third MVP
Messi has already won the league MVP award in 2024 and 2025. Now he looks to become the first three-time winner in MLS history. Yahoo Sports noted that he is the favorite to take the title for a third straight year. The competition has grown with players like White and Surridge having strong campaigns, yet the former Argentina forward remains the lock for the honor. He won the award when Inter Miami took the Supporters’ Shield in 2024 and again when they won the MLS Cup in 2025. His ability to deliver in both regular seasons and playoffs sets him apart.
The first round of the MLS Cup playoffs awaits the Columbus Crew as they wait for their opponent. These games begin later this month on Sunday, November 8. Nashville holds the top seed after winning the Supporters’ Shield with 77 points, but Messi’s individual performance stands as the greatest story of the year. Earlier this year he retired from international football with Argentina, but domestic dominance persists. With the 2026 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs confirmed, the world watches to see if he secures another title.
