Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has become the first player in Major League Soccer (MLS) history to win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons.

The 39-year-old scored 26 goals in 31 appearances, finishing four goals ahead of FC Dallas striker Petar Musa and five ahead of Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is also only the sixth player to claim the award twice. His 17 assists took his total goal contributions to 43, the highest in the league for the second consecutive season.

Messi could make further history by becoming the first player to win the Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player (MVP) award three times.

He previously won the honour in 2024, when Inter Miami secured the Supporters’ Shield, and in 2025, when the club lifted the MLS Cup.

Despite Messi’s impressive individual performances, Inter Miami finished second in the MLS Eastern Conference, 17 points behind Nashville SC.

Miami will now face Columbus Crew in a three-game first-round series of the MLS Cup play-offs, which begin later this month.