Awards
Messi wins second straight MLS Golden Boot
Messi finished with 26 goals, the first player to win the award in consecutive MLS seasons. Inter Miami drew 3-3 with Charlotte on the final day.
Golviva Newsroom
Lionel Messi has won the MLS Golden Boot for the second season running, becoming the first player in league history to win it in consecutive seasons. The Inter Miami forward finished the regular season with 26 goals.
The award was settled on the final day, Saturday 7 November. Inter Miami led Charlotte 3-0 at half-time at Nu Stadium through goals from Ian Fray, Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, but Liel Abada scored twice after the break and Rodolfo Aloko equalised in the 90th minute. Messi did not score, though The Guardian reports that he set up Miami's first two goals from corners.
Inter Miami finished second in the Eastern Conference with 60 points, which gives them home advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs. Charlotte FC are fifth in the table with 54 points. Nashville set a league record with 77 points, according to The Guardian.
FootVal's valuation of Messi, 39, is €10.6m against a market value of €15m on Transfermarkt. His contract with Inter Miami runs until December 2028. This season he has 31 appearances, 26 goals and 13 assists, with an average rating of 8.39 in FootVal's data.
Sources
This article is based on reports by:
- The Athletic — Lionel Messi wins second straight MLS Golden Boot as league's top goalscorer
- BBC Sport — Messi makes history with MLS Golden Boot
- The Guardian — Messi claims second straight Golden Boot as Nashville sets points record on MLS Decision Day
- L'Équipe — Lionel Messi devient le premier joueur à terminer meilleur buteur deux fois de suite en saison régulière de MLS
- ESPN — Messi makes history as 1st back-to-back MLS Golden Boot winner
- Mundo Deportivo — 3-3: El Inter Miami deja escapar una ventaja de 3-0, pero Messi se alza con el Botín de Oro
- Transfermarkt — Lionel Messi von Inter Miami sorgt für nächstes Novum in der MLS
- Sport Bild — Superstar schreibt Geschichte - Messi: DAS gab es in der MLS noch nie!
- TuttoMercatoWeb — MLS, Leo Messi straccia tutti: a lui la Scarpa d'oro. È la seconda di fila e con 26 gol
Written by the Golviva newsroom from the reports below, with figures from Golviva’s own database. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. · How we report
