Lionel Messi has clinched the 2026 MLS Golden Boot, marking a historic achievement as the first player ever to win this honor in back-to-back seasons.
The Inter Miami forward topped the league with an impressive tally of 26 goals this season. Additionally, he recorded 17 assists, leading the league with a total of 43 contributions to goals.
Messi surpassed FC Dallas forward Peter Musa (22 goals) and Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge (21 goals) to secure the award, just months after earning the Silver Boot at the 2026 World Cup, where he guided Argentina to the final.
With this win, Messi joins an elite group of six players who have won the MLS Golden Boot twice, alongside Bradley Wright-Phillips, Chris Wondolowski, Jeff Cunningham, Taylor Twellman, and Preki.
The Argentine legend, who announced his retirement from international football this year, achieved 29 goals and 19 assists in his 2025 MLS award-winning season.
On Monday, Messi may have the opportunity to receive yet another honor, potentially becoming the first player to win the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award three times. The announcement will take place at 8 p.m. ET.
Messi and the second-seeded Miami will compete against the seventh-seeded Columbus Crew in a best-of-three series during the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs.
Selected again to World XI by fellow players
In a vote conducted by FIFPRO, Messi was once again honored with a spot in the World XI lineup after nearly 20,000 players participated in the selection process organized by the global players’ union.
At 39 years old, the Argentine superstar was included in a formidable attacking quartet alongside Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Lamine Yamal, while Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane did not make the cut.
This marks Messi’s 18th inclusion in the XI, with his most recent selection occurring in 2023.
Notably, Messi is the sole male player in the World XI representing a club outside of Europe. The only other player from a national team outside of Europe is Achraf Hakimi, a right back from Morocco playing for Paris Saint-Germain.
FIFPRO World XI men’s roster
Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal, Spain)
Defenders: Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona, Spain), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England), Rodri (Manchester City/Barcelona, Spain), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, France), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
