Messi Edges Musa and Surridge to Claim 2026 MLS Golden Boot
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has officially captured the 2026 MLS Golden Boot, finishing at the top of the league's scoring charts ahead of FC Dallas striker Petar Musa and Nashville SC striker Sam Surridge. The Argentine netted a league-high 26 goals this season to claim the individual accolade and secure a unique piece of league history.
Fending Off Musa and Surridge
The race for the top scorer title saw Messi edge out strong competition from his closest rivals. Musa finished the campaign with 22 goals for FC Dallas, while Surridge followed closely with 21 goals for Nashville SC. Despite their prolific form, Messi maintained his lead to take home the award.
Beyond his 26 goals, Messi also notched 17 assists, leading the league with a total of 43 goal contributions. This offensive output allowed him to become the first player in league history to win the MLS Golden Boot in consecutive seasons. He is now the sixth two-time winner of the award, joining an exclusive group that includes Bradley Wright-Phillips, Chris Wondolowski, Jeff Cunningham, Taylor Twellman, and Preki.
Following a Busy International Schedule
The 2026 campaign was a significant one for Messi on multiple fronts. He retired from the Argentina national team this year, but not before leading his country to the final of the 2026 World Cup. During the global tournament, he won the Silver Boot.
His domestic form followed a remarkable 2025 season, where he won his first MLS Golden Boot by registering 29 goals and 19 assists.
MVP Finalists and Playoff Push
With the regular season concluded, attention now turns to the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award. Voting closes at 8 p.m. EST on Monday night, and the finalists will be announced on Thursday. It is reported that Messi could be up for another accolade, potentially becoming the first three-time winner of the MVP award.
On the pitch, Inter Miami enters the postseason as the No. 2-seeded team. They will face the No. 7-seeded Columbus Crew in a best-of-three series in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.