Lionel Messi made Major League Soccer history on Saturday night. The Inter Miami captain secured his second consecutive MLS Golden Boot award on the final day of the regular season.
He completed the 2026 campaign with 26 goals in 31 league appearances. The milestone makes the Argentine superstar the first player in MLS history to capture the top-scoring crown in back-to-back seasons.
On the same evening, Nashville SC achieved a historic team landmark. The Eastern Conference champions defeated FC Cincinnati 2-0 to reach 77 points. That victory shattered the previous all-time MLS single-season record of 74 points, set by Inter Miami in 2024.
A Historic Scoring Milestone for Messi
Messi sealed the scoring title by holding off fierce competition across the league. Petar Musa of FC Dallas finished as runner-up with 22 goals. Nashville forward Sam Surridge placed third with 21 goals.
In addition to his 26 goals, Messi delivered 17 assists during the campaign. His combined tally of 43 goal contributions led the entire league for the second straight season.
The 39-year-old forward previously won the award in 2025 after scoring 29 goals. With his latest triumph, Messi joins an exclusive group of six players who have won the MLS scoring title twice. He stands alone, however, as the only player to win it in consecutive years.
Dramatic Decision Day in South Florida
Inter Miami ended their regular season with a wild 3-3 draw against Charlotte FC on Saturday. The match delivered plenty of excitement for home supporters.
Miami raced to an early 3-0 lead before halftime. Ian Fray, Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo De Paul each scored, with Messi providing two assists from precise corner kicks.
Charlotte mounted a fierce second-half comeback. Winger Liel Abada scored two quick goals after the break, and Rodolfo Aloko netted a late equalizer.
Despite dropping points, Inter Miami secured second place in the Eastern Conference with 60 points. That standing guarantees the club home-field advantage through the first two rounds of the post-season.
Nashville Smashes the League Points Record
While Messi took individual honors, Nashville SC dominated the regular season standings. Their 2-0 win over Cincinnati capped off one of the most consistent campaigns in North American soccer history.
Nashville finished the year with 23 wins, three losses, and eight draws. Their total of 77 points won them the Supporters' Shield and established a new benchmark for regular-season excellence.
Surridge led the offensive attack throughout the year, while Nashville's defense conceded the fewest goals in the Eastern Conference. The club enters the post-season as the top overall seed and the favorite for the championship.
What Lies Ahead in the MLS Cup Playoffs
Both clubs now turn their attention to the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs. The post-season tournament begins later this month with a best-of-three series format in the opening round.
Inter Miami will face the seventh-seeded Columbus Crew in their first-round matchup. Messi will also look to add more silverware to his trophy case as a leading candidate for the league's Most Valuable Player award.
Nashville SC will enjoy a brief rest while waiting to face the winner of the wild-card play-in match between Orlando City and FC Cincinnati.
