Lionel Messi has become the first player in MLS history to win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons. The Inter Miami forward earned the award after finishing the regular season with a league-leading 26 goals.
On the final day of the regular season, Inter Miami fought to a 3-3 draw with Charlotte at Nu Stadium. While the defending champions squandered a three-goal lead, Messi assisted the first two goals from corners despite not scoring himself.
The result secured second place in the Eastern Conference for Inter Miami, providing them with home-field advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs. In other league news, Nashville established a new league record by collecting 77 points.