11/09/2026 02:47:00
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11/09 14:45 CST Lionel Messi wins the MLS Golden Boot for a second straight
season
Lionel Messi wins the MLS Golden Boot for a second straight season
By The Associated Press
Lionel Messi has been awarded the 2026 MLS Golden Boot, becoming the first
player in league history to win the award in consecutive seasons.
The Inter Miami forward scored a league-high 26 goals this season. He also
notched 17 assists and led the league with 43 goal contributions.
Messi edged out FC Dallas striker Petar Musa (22 goals) and Nashville SC
striker Sam Surridge (21 goals) to take home the award just months after
winning the Silver Boot at the 2026 World Cup while leading Argentina to the
final.
Messi became the sixth two-time MLS Golden Boot winner, joining Bradley
Wright-Phillips, Chris Wondolowski, Jeff Cunningham, Taylor Twellman and Preki.
The Argentine great, who retired from the national team this year, had 29 goals
and 19 assists when he won the MLS award in 2025.
Messi could be up for another accolade and become the first three-time winner
of the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award. Voting for the award closes at 8 p.m. EST
on Monday night, and finalists will be announced on Thursday.
Messi and No. 2-seeded Miami face the No. 7-seeded Columbus Crew in a
best-of-three series in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
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This story has been corrected to show the MVP voting closes on Monday, not the
announcement of who won the award.
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See AP's full MLS coverage here
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