TL;DR — the direct answer: Lionel Messi has become the first player in Major League Soccer history to win the Golden Boot in back-to-back seasons. The 39-year-old Inter Miami forward finished the 2026 regular season as the league's top scorer with 26 goals in 31 appearances, the league announced on Saturday 7 November, the final day of the regular season. He won the award in 2025 with 29 goals.
What happened: Messi's 26 goals in 2026 put him four clear of FC Dallas forward Petar Musa, who scored 22, and five clear of Nashville SC's Sam Surridge, who scored 21. He also provided 17 assists, giving him a league-high 43 goal contributions for the second year in a row. His 29 goals in 2025 were the fourth-highest single-season tally in MLS history. He is only the sixth player ever to finish as the league's top scorer more than once, and the tenth time in his career he has finished as top scorer in a domestic league.
Why it's trending: Because of what came just before it. Messi retired from international football earlier this year — in October, after 21 years with Argentina — and the obvious question was whether, at 39, his best years were behind him. This answer is emphatic: he has now signed a contract extension with Inter Miami through 2028, and he is still the most productive attacker in the league. He is also the front-runner to win a record third consecutive MLS Most Valuable Player award, having won it in 2024 and 2025. If he wins it, he would become the first three-time recipient. Inter Miami finished the regular season second in the Eastern Conference, and the MLS Cup Playoffs begin on 19 November, with Miami defending the MLS Cup they won in 2025.
Background / context: Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, after two decades at the top of European football with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, and eight Ballon d'Or awards — more than any player in history. His arrival transformed the league's profile: attendances, television audiences and shirt sales all jumped, and Inter Miami went from one of the league's weaker sides to winners of the Supporters' Shield in 2024 and the MLS Cup in 2025. He has now scored 107 goals in 124 appearances for the club. The Golden Boot goes to the player who scores the most goals in the MLS regular season, and before Messi no player had ever won it twice in a row.
What we know / what's unconfirmed: Confirmed by the league and reported by Reuters: 26 goals in 31 matches in 2026, 29 goals the previous season, 17 assists and 43 goal contributions in 2026, the first back-to-back Golden Boot winner, the contract extension through 2028, and the international retirement after 21 years with Argentina. What is unconfirmed is the MVP award — Messi is the front-runner for a third straight win, but it has not yet been announced — and how far Inter Miami will go in the playoffs.
What happens next: The MLS Cup Playoffs begin on 19 November, with Inter Miami defending their title. The MVP announcement will follow, and if Messi wins it he makes history again as the first three-time winner. Beyond that, the question is how long the 39-year-old keeps going: his new deal runs through 2028, when he will be 41.
Q: How many goals did Messi score this season?
A: 26 goals in 31 appearances in the 2026 MLS regular season, plus 17 assists — a league-high 43 goal contributions. He scored 29 goals the previous season.
Q: Has anyone won the MLS Golden Boot twice in a row before?
A: No. Messi is the first player in MLS history to win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons. He is only the sixth player to win the award more than once.
Q: Has Messi retired from football?
A: No — only from international football. He retired from Argentina's national team in October 2026 after 21 years, but he signed a contract extension with Inter Miami through 2028 and is still playing club football.
Q: Could Messi win the MLS MVP award again?
A: He is the front-runner for a third consecutive MVP award, having won it in 2024 and 2025. If he wins, he would be the first player to win it three times.
Sources: Reuters — Messi becomes first to win MLS Golden Boot in consecutive seasons, Field Level Media — Miami’s Lionel Messi first back-to-back MLS Golden Boot recipient, and talkSPORT — Lionel Messi makes MLS history and joins EFL legend in rare feat, all 7–8 November 2026.
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