Messi claims second straight Golden Boot as Nashville sets points record on MLS Decision Day
Lionel Messi claimed his second consecutive MLS Golden Boot on Decision Day, concluding the regular season with 26 goals to become the first player in league history to win back-to-back scoring titles. Dallas forward Petar Musa finished second in the scoring race with 22 goals. Inter Miami, however, surrendered a 3-0 lead in a 3-3 draw against Charlotte at Nu Stadium. Messi created Miami's first two goals from corners, assisting Ian Fray in the 14th minute and Luis Suárez in the 33rd before Rodrigo De Paul added a third before the break. Charlotte mounted a second-half comeback with two goals from Liel Abada and a 90th-minute equalizer from Rodolfo Aloko.
The result left Miami second in the Eastern Conference on 60 points, setting up an opening-round playoff clash with Columbus. Meanwhile, Nashville broke Miami’s 2024 single-season points record by reaching 77 points following a 2-0 win over Cincinnati, finishing atop the East with 23 wins, three defeats, and eight draws. Third-place New England ended on 58 points after a 1-0 loss at Orlando. In the Western Conference, champions Vancouver defeated Montreal 2-0 to take second in the overall standings, while Portland, Real Salt Lake, and Seattle claimed the remaining playoff spots on the season's final day.
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