Messi Wins MLS Golden Boot Twice in a Row

Lionel Messi added another trophy to his collection. Leading the league with 26 goals for Inter Miami this season, the 39-year-old became the first player in MLS history to win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons. Messi also became the sixth player to top the league's scoring charts in more than one season.

Messi also finished first this season with 43 goal contributions. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who won the Golden Boot last season with 29 goals, was once again the league's top scorer this year. FC Dallas forward Petar Musa finished second with 22 goals. Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge finished third, one goal behind. Surridge scored two goals on Saturday, the day the league's regular season ended.

Inter Miami finished second in the Eastern Conference. The team will face seventh-placed Columbus Crew in the first round. The matchup will be played over a best-of-three series, and Miami will host the matches at home. The club also earned a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup for the fourth year in a row. Messi, who announced in October that he was stepping away from the Argentina national team, is also the favorite to win his third straight MLS MVP award. If he wins, he will be the first player to be named MVP three times.