Argentine legend Lionel Messi has been awarded the Golden Boot as the top scorer in Major League Soccer (MLS), netting 29 goals this season in a standout campaign with Inter Miami.
Messi secured the accolade following a sensational performance in his side's 5-2 win over Nashville, where he scored a hat-trick to close out the regular season in style.
The goals came in the 35th, 63rd (from the penalty spot), and 81st minutes, as the World Cup winner once again demonstrated his decisive influence. Teammates Baltasar Rodriguez and Tylascho Segovia added the other two goals for Inter Miami, while Sam Surridge and Jacob Shaffelburg were on target for Nashville.
With the victory, Inter Miami finished third in the Eastern Conference standings, setting up a playoff clash with sixth-placed Nashville in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The first-round series will follow the 'best-of-three' format and is scheduled to begin next Friday.
Elsewhere, Philadelphia topped the Eastern Conference and claimed the Supporters' Shield, securing home advantage throughout the playoffs and a direct berth in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
In other playoff matchups, second-placed FC Cincinnati will face seventh-placed Columbus, while fourth-placed Charlotte will meet fifth-seeded New York City.
