Inter Miami CF captain Leo Messi wins the 2026 MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi with a total 26 goals, making history in the process by becoming the first player to win consecutive MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi awards. Messi finished ahead of FC Dallas forward Petar Musa (22 goals) and Vancouver Whitecaps FC forward Brian White (20 goals). He is also the sixth player in league history to win the award multiple times.
Below we break down the numbers behind Messi’s record-breaking 2026 regular season:
- In his fourth MLS season, Messi led the league in goals once again, scoring 26 times across 31 regular-season matches.
- Messi ranked among the league leaders in several offensive categories during the 2026 season – first in goals per game (0.87), first in goal contributions (43), tied for first in multi-goal games (six), and second in goals per 90 minutes (0.91).
- Of Messi's 26 regular-season goals, only one came from a penalty kick, giving him 25 non-penalty goals, the second-most in a single season in MLS history behind his own record of 28 in 2025.
- After scoring 29 times in 2025, Messi became just the second player in MLS history to score at least 25 goals in consecutive seasons.
- When looking at the past three seasons, Messi has scored a total of 75 times in the regular season, which is the second-most in a three-season span in league history. He also joins 2023 MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga (2023-25) as the only players in MLS history to score at least 20 goals in three consecutive seasons.
- Messi also continued to establish himself as one of the league's most prolific offensive players, becoming the first in MLS history to record at least 40 goal contributions in consecutive seasons. His 43 goal contributions in 2026 were the third-most in a single season in league history.
- Over the last three seasons, Messi has totaled 127 goal contributions, which is 28 more than the next closest player in a three-season span in league history (Evander, 98 from 2024-26).
Top Moments
It’s a tough task to pick our favorite highlights from our captain’s 26 strikes this regular season, but here we present a selection of some of Messi’s top moments throughout his Golden Boot-clinching campaign.
Brace to Secure Comeback on the Road vs. Club Rivals - March 1
Historic first goal at Nu Stadium vs. Austin FC - April 4
Four Goal Exhibition vs. CF Montréal - Aug. 29
A magical performance from the Argentine maestro to lead a dominant 7-1 home win for Inter Miami. His goals included this fantastic solo play…
as well as this brilliant chip.
Spectacular free kick on the road against Columbus Crew - Sept. 27
Brace on the road vs. Atlanta United - Oct. 17
