Messi goes for another Golden Boot in MLS: These would be his rivals

The 2025 season was a good one for Messi with Inter Miami. The Argentine forward scored 29 goals in 28 games and was also an MLS Cup champion, proving that he is still as good as ever and wants to continue breaking records.

In 2025, Messi won the MLS Golden Boot and in 2026, a World Cup year, he hopes to be able to repeat the feat and continue to dominate soccer in the United States.

Despite Messi’s wishes, winning the Golden Boot will not be so easy, as there are great players in MLS and the competition will be even greater.

The players who can take the Golden Boot away from Messi in MLS

MLS has been known for bringing in world-class players and although, for now, Messi dominates the league, there is a top group of players who could spoil the party for the Argentine and fight hand in hand for the Golden Boot with Inter Miami’s star.

1. Son Heung-min (LAFC): The South Korean has made an immediate impact after leaving Tottenham. At 33 years of age, he scored nine goals in his first 10 games and proved his worth in the 2025 playoffs, positioning himself as a candidate for the scoring title.
2. Denis Bouanga (LAFC): The 2023 Golden Boot winner maintains enviable consistency, having surpassed the 20-goal mark in each of the last three seasons.
3. Anders Dreyer (San Diego): The great Danish revelation of 2025. With 19 goals and 17 assists, Dreyer was the engine that took San Diego to the top of the Western Conference, proving that he is a threat both finishing and assisting.

Messi and a 2026 full of great challenges

2026 is going to be a big year for Lionel Messi and the Argentine knows that he must live up to all the expectations. With the new MLS season underway, the forward wants to win back-to-back titles with Inter Miami, but he is also thinking about his national team.

In addition to the challenges at club level, Messi is also preparing to play his last World Cup and try to win the tournament again, as he did in 2022.

Despite his age, Messi is in great physical shape and continues to score goals, so 2026 is expected to be a great year for him and he can continue to add to his records.