Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi has made history in Major League Soccer (MLS), becoming the first player to win the league’s Golden Boot award in consecutive seasons.

The Inter Miami captain secured the 2026 Golden Boot after finishing the regular season with 26 goals, retaining the individual honour he won in 2025 when he scored 29 times.

The MLS announced the achievement on Saturday, November 7, following the conclusion of the regular season.

Messi finished ahead of FC Dallas striker Petar Musa, who scored 22 goals, while Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge came third with 21 goals.

The 39-year-old’s latest achievement further strengthens his remarkable influence on American football since joining Inter Miami in July 2023.

Despite scoring fewer goals than he did in the previous campaign, Messi remained the league’s most productive attacking player, recording 17 assists to finish with 43 goal contributions in 2026.

According to MLS statistics, he also led the competition in goals per game, averaging 0.84, and was among the leaders in multi-goal performances, recording six such matches.

His 26 goals came in 31 regular-season appearances, with only one scored from the penalty spot.

Messi’s latest Golden Boot triumph also makes him the sixth player in MLS history to win the award more than once, joining Bradley Wright-Phillips, Chris Wondolowski, Jeff Cunningham, Taylor Twellman and Preki.

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However, none of the previous winners achieved the feat in consecutive seasons, making the Argentine the first to accomplish the milestone.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had previously claimed the 2025 Golden Boot with 29 goals and 19 assists, helping Inter Miami establish themselves among the leading teams in the competition.

His influence has extended beyond goalscoring. Messi became the first player in MLS history to record at least 40 goal contributions in consecutive regular seasons, registering 43 in 2026 after an equally impressive campaign in 2025.

The Argentine also holds the record for the most non-penalty goals in a single MLS season, having scored 28 in 2025.

Messi’s latest individual success came on the final day of the regular season when Inter Miami played out a 3-3 draw against Charlotte FC.

Although he did not score, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward provided assists from two corner kicks as Miami surrendered a three-goal advantage.

The result ensured Inter Miami finished second in the Eastern Conference, securing home-field advantage for the opening stages of the MLS Cup playoffs.

Miami will face Columbus Crew in the opening round of the postseason as they seek to defend their MLS Cup title.

Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain and quickly transformed the club’s fortunes, leading them to the Leagues Cup title in his debut season.

He subsequently helped the club win the Supporters’ Shield in 2024 and its first MLS Cup championship in 2025.

The latest Golden Boot award adds another milestone to an extraordinary career that has already produced eight Ballon d’Or titles, multiple domestic league championships and the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina.

Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his remarkable 23-year career with the Portugal national team.

The 41-year-old forward announced his decision on Thursday, November 5, 2026, in a video message shared on his social media accounts, saying he was ready to hand over Portugal’s iconic No. 7 shirt to the next generation.

Ronaldo, who made his senior international debut in August 2003, leaves the national team as the highest-scoring player in men’s international football and its most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 appearances.

In his announcement, Ronaldo reflected on the privilege and responsibility of representing Portugal for more than two decades.

He said: “To the Portuguese people. The time has come to hang our national team’s number 7 shirt. I never felt that it belonged exclusively to me, but for 23 years I have had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it.”

He added that representing Portugal had given him some of the most memorable moments of his football career and that the country would always remain part of him.

A career filled with records and trophies

Ronaldo’s international career began in August 2003 when he made his debut for Portugal at the age of 18.

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Over the next 23 years, he established himself as one of the most successful players in international football, setting records for appearances and goals.

His major achievements with Portugal include winning the 2016 UEFA European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles, in 2019 and 2025.

He also represented Portugal at six World Cups, from 2006 to 2026, becoming the first player to score at six different editions of the men’s tournament.

His 146 international goals and 234 appearances leave him at the top of the men’s international football records.

November matches expected to mark farewell

Ronaldo’s announcement comes after a difficult period with Portugal, including a disagreement with national team coach Jorge Jesus.

The Al-Nassr forward walked out of Portugal’s training camp in September following disagreements over his playing time and his exclusion from the starting line-up.

He subsequently apologised to his teammates and Portuguese supporters, while accepting a disciplinary punishment from the Portuguese Football Federation.

The federation handed him a 30-day suspension and a fine of €255 following the incident. The suspension was backdated to October 1.

Ronaldo is expected to bring his international career to a close after Portugal’s November international engagements, with the team scheduled to face Denmark on November 14 and Wales on November 17.

His departure will mark the end of an era for Portuguese football, as the country prepares to move forward without the player who has captained its national team and broken numerous international records.

Portugal will, however, continue to have the legacy of a footballer whose name has become synonymous with the country’s achievements on the international stage.