Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has captured his second straight MLS Golden Boot award, concluding the 2026 regular season with 26 goals as Inter Miami gears up to defend its coveted MLS Cup crown.

Although Messi was kept off the scoresheet during Miami's final regular-season fixture against Charlotte FC, a 3-3 draw in which the Herons relinquished a comfortable three-goal advantage at home, he still maintained a clear lead atop the league's scoring leaderboard. FC Dallas striker Petar Musa finished second with 22 goals, followed by Nashville SC's Sam Surridge at 21 and Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White with 20. Having netted 29 goals last campaign, Messi's latest achievement makes him the first player in league history to secure back-to-back Golden Boot honours.