Messi wins back-to-back MLS Golden Boots
Lionel Messi continues to make history in North American football. The Argentine forward won his second consecutive Golden Boot in Major League Soccer (MLS) with Inter Miami on Saturday, an award for the regular season's top scorer. With 26 goals, the 2022 world champion becomes the first player to win the award in two successive seasons.
Rieltony LOUBOKO · Author profile ·
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Although he didn't score in the regular-season finale against Charlotte, a thrilling 3-3 draw, Messi was again central to his side's play. The Argentine set up Inter Miami's first two goals from corners.
With 26 goals in the regular season, he finished ahead of Croatia's Petar Musa of Dallas, who scored 22. The latest award follows on from his showing last season, when he scored 29 league goals before adding six in the play-offs.
Inter Miami prepare for the play-offs
As a team, Inter Miami finished second in the Eastern Conference with 60 points, behind Nashville, who set a record with 77. The defending champions will now face Columbus in their opening play-off tie.
Thanks to that finish, the Floridians will have home advantage in the first two rounds of the play-offs. Messi and his team-mates will aim to extend their run and defend their title.
At 39, the Argentine forward keeps adding to his collection of individual honours. Having played his last match for the Albiceleste in October, he now continues his MLS career with a new team goal: leading Inter Miami to another MLS title.