Lionel Messi will have a new opportunity to make history in American soccer this Saturday. The Argentine star will seek to become the first player to win two consecutive titles of top scorer in Major League Soccer (MLS), when Inter Miami faces Charlotte FC on the final day of the regular season.
The captain of the Argentine national team, 39, leads the scoring rankings with 26 goals, four more than his main pursuer, Croatian Petar Musa, FC Dallas forward.
Until now, several players have managed to become top scorers in MLS in more than one season, but none have achieved it consecutively. Preki, Taylor Twellman, Jeff Cunningham, Chris Wondolowski and Bradley Wright-Phillips are among those who have won this distinction twice.
Messi is also the leading candidate for the 2026 Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, thanks to his 26 goals and 14 assists in 30 games. If he achieves this, he would add his third recognition in three full seasons with Inter Miami, an unprecedented mark in the 31-year history of the competition.
The Argentine arrives at the match after starring in an outstanding performance against the New England Revolution, in which he scored a goal and provided an assist to contribute to his team’s 2-1 victory.
“Messi is a winning guy,” highlighted Mexican international Germán Berterame, one of his main partners in attack. The striker also highlighted the learning that comes with sharing a dressing room with the world champion.
Inter Miami has already assured its presence in the playoffs and home field advantage for the first round, but it needs to add against Charlotte to maintain second position in the Eastern Conference and aspire to finish in that same position in the general classification.
The final position will be important for the playoffs, since the best-ranked teams have the advantage of playing their matches at home.
«The most important thing is coming, which are the playoffs. The victory against New England was important because we want to be at the top,” said Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia.
