Lionel Messi looks set to win a third straight MLS MVP award. The winner will be announced in December. But several reports say he is the clear favorite. The Athletic published a piece on November 3, 2026, calling him a “shoo-in” and the favorite for a third straight MVP. The article said that as long as Messi plays in MLS, you can pencil him in as the league MVP.
A Korean outlet, InterFootball, reported on November 8 that the MLS office believes Messi should win unanimously. The outlet called this MVP vote the easiest in history. Marca also wrote on November 8 that it seems impossible for anyone else to be named MVP. Messi has won the award each of the last two seasons.
His 2026 season was outstanding, playing 31 matches. He scored 26 goals and made 17 assists. That gave him 43 goal contributions, the most in the league. He won his second straight Golden Boot. He scored 6 free-kick goals. He scored 23 goals with his left foot, 2 with his right, and 1 with his head. His 43 contributions were 16 more than the next closest player, Petar Musa, who had 22 goals and 27 total contributions. Messi also became the first player in MLS history to have three straight seasons with at least 30 goal contributions.
If Messi wins, he will be the first three-time MVP in MLS history. He is already the only player to win back-to-back MVP awards. The MLS office has said publicly that he should win unanimously. However, no source confirms that Messi has been told he won. The reports only describe him as the favorite, a shoo-in, and the expected winner. The official announcement is expected in December 2026.
…Makes MLS History With Back-to-Back Golden Boots After Record 43 Goal Contributions in 2026
Lionel Messi has become the first player to win the MLS Golden Boot two seasons in a row. He finished the 2026 regular season with 26 goals for Inter Miami. That was the most in the league. He played 31 games, 29 of them as a starter. Messi, who is 39, also had 17 assists. His total of 43 goal contributions was the best in MLS.
Messi is only the sixth player to finish as top scorer in more than one MLS regular season. He failed to score in his last regular-season game on Saturday. Inter Miami drew 3-3 with Charlotte FC after leading 3-0 at halftime. Even so, Messi finished four goals ahead of his closest rival, Petar Musa of FC Dallas. Sam Surridge of Nashville SC was third with 21 goals.
Messi’s play helped Inter Miami finish second in the Eastern Conference. They made the playoffs and also qualified for the Concacaf Champions Cup for the fourth straight time. In 2025, Messi won the Golden Boot with 29 goals in 28 games. He also had 19 assists, the most in the league. He won the MVP award that year.
Messi is the front-runner to win MVP again in 2026. If he does, he will be the first three-time winner. He also won MVP in 2024, his first full season with Miami. Miami coach Cristian González said Messi is the best of all. He said Messi deserves the MVP and the Ballon d’Or. On Saturday’s game, Ian Fray, Luis Suárez, and Rodrigo De Paul scored for Miami. Charlotte fought back with two goals from Liel Abada and one from Rodolfo Aloko in the 90th minute.
Miami finished with 60 points. Nashville broke Miami’s single-season points record with 77. Miami will have home advantage in their best-of-three first-round playoff series against the Columbus Crew.
FAQs
Q. How many times has Lionel Messi won the MLS MVP award?
A. Messi has won the MLS MVP award twice, in 2024 and 2025.
Q. How many goals did Messi score in the 2026 MLS regular season?
A. Messi scored 26 goals in 31 matches for Inter Miami.
Q. How many assists did Messi record in the 2026 MLS season?
A. Messi made 17 assists, giving him 43 goal contributions.
Q. Who finished behind Messi in the 2026 MLS Golden Boot race?
A. Petar Musa finished second with 22 goals, while Sam Surridge was third with 21.
Q. When will the 2026 MLS MVP winner be announced?
A. The winner is expected to be announced in December 2026.
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