Football: Messi becomes first two-time MLS top scorer
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on P.M. News
Lionel Messi becomes the first player in Major League Soccer history to win the top-scorer title in two consecutive seasons, with 26 goals in 2026. The Argentine finishes four goals ahead of Petar Musa, according to P.M. News.
Lionel Messi won the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) Golden Boot with 26 goals, becoming the first player to win the award in two consecutive seasons. The Argentine forward for Inter Miami finished four goals ahead of Petar Musa, FC Dallas's centre-forward, who ended the regular season with 22 goals, reports P.M. News.
Messi finished the final regular-season match without scoring but provided two assists in the 3-3 draw against Charlotte on Saturday 7 November. Inter Miami had taken a three-goal lead through Ian Fray, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. Liel Abada scored twice for Charlotte before Rodolfo Aloko equalised in the 90th minute. A final attempt by Messi in stoppage time hit the post.
Inter Miami finished second in the Eastern Conference with 60 points and will host Columbus in their opening playoff match. Nashville, meanwhile, set a new record for points in an MLS regular season. Its 2-0 win over Cincinnati took it to 77 points, surpassing the 74 points earned by Inter Miami in 2024. Nashville therefore finished top of the Eastern Conference, ahead of Miami and New England, third with 58 points after a 1-0 defeat by Orlando.
In the Western Conference, Vancouver beat Montreal 2-0 to finish second overall. Portland, Seattle and Real Salt Lake also secured qualification for the playoffs.
