Messi becomes first player to win back-to-back MLS Golden Boot awards

What the report says

Lionel Messi has become the first player in Major League Soccer history to win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons, according to Al Jazeera’s report published on 8 November 2026. The Inter Miami forward finished the regular season with 26 goals, topping the league scoring chart and helping his team secure second place in the Eastern Conference.

Al Jazeera reported that Miami drew 3-3 with Charlotte on the final day of the regular season in Florida. Messi did not score in that match, but he contributed two assists from corner kicks as Inter Miami earned home advantage for the opening playoff rounds. The article also noted that teammates Ian Fray, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul scored for Miami, while Charlotte fought back through a brace from Liel Abada before Rodolfo Aloko equalized late.

The result left Miami on 60 points, behind Eastern Conference leaders Nashville, who set a new MLS points record with 77. Petar Musa of Dallas finished second in the scoring race with 22 goals. Messi had scored 29 goals in the previous season, and the report said his latest total made him the first player to successfully defend the league’s top-scorer award.

The piece said Inter Miami, the defending MLS Cup champions, will open the postseason on 19 November against Columbus. More broadly, Messi’s achievement adds to an already decorated MLS spell and reinforces his central role in Miami’s push for another title.