Messi Seizes MLS Golden Boot Crown While Argentina Stars Witness Inter Miami's Dominant Victory
Lionel Messi continues to etch his name in Major League Soccer history following his arrival at Inter Miami in 2023, and he stands poised for additional milestones after netting a brace and providing an assist in Saturday night's commanding 3–0 victory over Atlanta United.
Following his absence from Argentina's friendly match against Venezuela on Friday, Messi rejoined Miami's lineup during the international window to face Atlanta, with his sights set on claiming the 2025 MLS Golden Boot.
His Argentine national team colleagues, including Miami's Rodrigo De Paul, who stayed with La Albiceleste rather than returning to the Herons, were also in attendance at Chase Stadium for the match.
Messi broke the deadlock for Miami in the 39th minute after squandering multiple opportunities, eventually getting past Canadian shot-stopper Jayden Hibbert before doubling his tally in the 87th minute. His 25th and 26th strikes of the campaign elevated him to the top of the Golden Boot standings, breaking a deadlock at 24 goals with LAFC's Denis Bouanga.
The 38-year-old superstar also provided the assist for Jordi Alba's goal that extended the Herons' advantage to 2–0 in the 52nd minute, creating a memorable moment for Alba following the Spaniard's retirement announcement earlier this week, despite having signed a contract extension through 2027 in May.
Luis Suárez sealed the 3–0 triumph in the 61st minute, continuing the Barcelona reunion celebration.
Messi's display brought his total goal contributions to 44 in 2025, marking the second-highest single-season tally in MLS history. The Argentine legend now sits just behind Carlos Vela's record of 49 goal contributions from 2019, which featured 35 goals.
With just one fixture remaining, Messi's performance has also strengthened his bid for the 2025 MLS MVP Award, as he aims to become the first player to capture the accolade in consecutive seasons after missing out on the Golden Boot in 2024.
His availability for Argentina's rescheduled match at Chase Stadium against Puerto Rico on Monday remains uncertain.
MLS Golden Boot Competition Intensifies
Messi's pursuit of the Golden Boot will be determined by next weekend's Decision Day encounter against Nashville SC, and the eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient may need to add to his scoring record.
Nashville forward Sam Surridge occupies third place in the Golden Boot race with 23 goals, while Bouanga, whose LAFC will meet Austin FC on Decision Day, remains at 24.
In the previous season, D.C. United's Christian Benteke claimed the Golden Boot with 23 goals, and the final tally for 2025 will represent the highest total since Vela's exceptional 2019 season. The only other MLS player to surpass 30 goals in a single campaign was Josef Martínez, who found the net 31 times with Atlanta in 2018.
Current MLS Golden Boot Standings
Player (Club) | Goals |
|---|---|
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) | 26 |
Denis Bouanga (LAFC) | 24 |
Sam Surridge (Nashville SC) | 23 |
Petar Musa (FC Dallas) | 18 |
Dejan Joveljić (Sporting Kansas City) | 18 |
Inter Miami Competing for Alba, Busquets
While the Golden Boot chase held significant importance for Messi, equally meaningful was the opportunity to share the pitch once more with his former Barcelona teammates, Busquets and Alba, who are preparing to retire at season's end.
Inter Miami celebrated Busquets after last week's 4–1 victory over the New England Revolution, and honored Alba on Saturday.
"Thanks to you, Jordi. I'm going to miss you so much. After so much together, it's going to feel strange to look to my left and not see you there," Messi wrote on Instagram responding to Alba's retirement announcement. "Crazy how much assists you gave me all these years... Who's gonna give me back passes now???"
Miami will conclude the regular season away at Nashville, but will return to Chase Stadium for the opening round best-of-three series to begin the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.