Messi wins second straight MLS Golden Boot, Nashville set record

Lionel Messi has become the first player to win the MLS Golden Boot in consecutive seasons after recording a league-high 26 goals. According to Free Malaysia Today, the 39-year-old Argentine scored these goals across 31 matches, making him the second player in league history to score at least 25 times in back-to-back years. Petar Musa of Dallas finished second with 22 goals, while Nashville SC's Sam Surridge recorded 21.

On the final day of the regular season, Inter Miami secured second place in the Eastern Conference following a 3-3 draw against Charlotte. New Straits Times reports that while Messi did not score in the match, he provided assists for the first two goals from corner kicks. This result ensured Inter Miami home-field advantage for the first two playoff rounds, where they are scheduled to face Columbus. New England finished third with 58 points after a 1-0 loss to Orlando.

Nashville set a new all-time MLS single-season points record with 77 points after defeating Cincinnati 2-0. New Straits Times notes that Nashville's 23-3 record surpassed the previous mark of 74 points set by Miami in 2024. Free Malaysia Today also noted that Messi, who retired from international football earlier this year, signed a contract extension with Inter Miami through 2028.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch, New Straits Times, Free Malaysia Today — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.