Heard it before? Lionel Messi has rewritten MLS record books.
The Argentine ace struck his 20th goal of the 2026 campaign in Inter Miami’s 2‑2 draw with San Diego, curling a free‑kick on Matchday 27’s Sunday Night Soccer.
That made Messi the second player in MLS history to score 20+ goals in three straight seasons, joining LAFC’s Denis Bouanga (2023‑25) in that elite group.
His latest tally widened his lead on the Audi‑presented Golden Boot, with a league‑best 33 goal contributions, topping the league in goals (20) and assists (13).
The iconic No. 10 could become the first three‑time Landon Donovan MVP, with eight regular‑season games left to cement his case. For my money, his push for a third MVP will redefine the league’s award history.
Below are Messi’s regular‑season numbers since his July 2023 arrival, a move that reshaped North American soccer.
- 2026: 20g/13a in 23 games (ongoing)
- 2025: 29g/19a in 28 games
- 2024: 20g/16a in 19 games
- 2023: 1g/2a in 6 games — will he finish the season with 30 assists?
Earlier this week Messi delivered a man‑of‑the‑match performance in the 2026 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup, scoring his 100th Miami goal in a 2‑0 win over Liga MX’s Cruz Azul.
Now, his free‑kick versus San Diego pushes his tally to 101 goals for the defending Audi MLS Cup champions.