Messi Becomes First to Win Consecutive MLS Golden Boots

Lionel Messi won the MLS Golden Boot for a second consecutive season, becoming the first player in league history to claim back-to-back scoring titles. He scored 26 goals for Inter Miami, four more than FC Dallas’s Petar Musa, and added 17 assists for 43 goal contributions; all but one of his goals came from open play. His scoring title came despite being held scoreless in Miami’s regular-season finale, a 3-3 draw with Charlotte FC after Miami squandered a 3-0 lead. Miami led the league with 80 goals, finished second in the Eastern Conference and will host Columbus in a best-of-three playoff series. Messi also recorded at least 20 goals for a third straight season and is in contention for a record third consecutive MLS MVP award.