Lionel Messi has made history in Major League Soccer by becoming the first player to win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons. The Inter Miami captain secured the award after finishing the 2026 regular season with 26 goals, surpassing FC Dallas striker Petar Musa, who scored 22 goals, and Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge, who recorded 21 goals. This achievement further solidifies Messi's impressive legacy in American football.
Messi's impressive performance in the 2026 season was highlighted by his 17 assists, taking his total goal contributions to 43, the highest in the league. Despite not scoring in Inter Miami's final regular-season match against Charlotte FC, Messi provided two assists from corner kicks as Miami drew 3-3. The result saw Inter Miami finish second in the Eastern Conference and secure a place in the MLS Cup playoffs, where they will begin their title defense against Columbus Crew.
Messi's latest achievement adds to his remarkable career, having already won numerous individual awards during his time at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Argentina. The Argentine superstar has now become only the sixth player in MLS history to win the Golden Boot multiple times, having scored 29 goals to claim the award in 2025.
Meanwhile, in the Premier League, Manchester United faces a crucial encounter against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on November 8. Manchester United is under pressure after collecting just seven points from nine league games, with one victory, four draws, and four defeats. Manager Michael Carrick faces a difficult examination as his side attempts to escape the relegation battle.
The pressure on Manchester United has increased following Nottingham Forest's victory over Manchester City, making Sunday's fixture particularly important. Aston Villa will be looking to exploit United's struggles and potentially deepen the crisis at Old Trafford. Other Sunday fixtures include Brighton against Brentford, Crystal Palace versus Liverpool, Ipswich Town against Bournemouth, and Sunderland's meeting with Chelsea.
In another Premier League match, Arsenal strengthened their position at the top of the league after defeating Hull City 1-0 on Saturday. Martin Ødegaard scored the decisive goal in the 72nd minute following an impressive effort from Noni Madueke, extending Arsenal's lead at the summit to six points. The victory marked Arsenal's ninth win in 10 league matches under Mikel Arteta.
As the Premier League continues to heat up, Manchester United's struggles and Arsenal's dominance will be closely watched. Messi's achievement in MLS, meanwhile, cements his status as one of the greatest players in the league's history. Inter Miami will look to build on their successful season as they enter the MLS Cup playoffs.
Key points
- Lionel Messi is the first player to win the MLS Golden Boot in consecutive seasons.
- Inter Miami finished second in the Eastern Conference and secured a place in the MLS Cup playoffs.
- Manchester United faces a crucial encounter against Aston Villa in the Premier League.
