Lionel Messi has officially claimed the 2025 MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi, finishing the regular season with 29 goals. The Inter Miami CF captain sealed the award in stunning fashion on Decision Day, scoring a hat-trick in a 5-2 victory over Nashville SC . The win not only secured Messi's fifth hat-trick of the campaign but also ensured he finished five goals clear of Denis Bouanga and Sam Surridge.
Messi's dominant run has been the story of the MLS season. Earlier this month, he produced a vintage display in the 4-0 win over Atlanta United, scoring twice to keep Inter Miami's playoff hopes alive . That performance came just days after he inspired a 4-1 triumph against New England Revolution , where he provided three assists and dictated the game from start to finish.
Those matches summed up a season in which Messi combined ruthless finishing with creative mastery. The 38-year-old ended the 2025 campaign with 29 goals and 19 assists - 48 goal contributions in total - the second-highest in MLS history, one shy of Carlos Vela's 2019 record.