Lionel Messi wins the MLS Golden Boot for a second straight season

Lionel Messi has been named the 2026 MLS Golden Boot winner, marking the first player in league history to claim the award in two consecutive seasons. The Inter Miami forward netted 26 goals during the campaign, outscoring Petar Musa of FC Dallas (22 goals) and Sam Surridge of Nashville SC (21 goals). Messi's 43 goal contributions led the league and secured him the accolade despite winning the Silver Boot at the 2026 World Cup with Argentina.

This achievement places Messi among an elite group of six players who have won the award twice, joining Bradley Wright-Phillips, Chris Wondolowski, Jeff Cunningham, Taylor Twellman, and Preki. Messi, who retired from international football this year, scored 29 goals and contributed 19 assists when he won the award in 2025. The Argentine star could face another honor on Monday night and could become the first player to win the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award three times.

The announcement of the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award will take place at 8pm EST. Messi and his team, No. 2-seeded Miami, are set to face No. 7-seeded Columbus Crew in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.