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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Ben Steiner

MLS Golden Boot: The Favorites to Win in 2026

MLS Lionel Messi Inter Miami Son HeungMin LAFC Denis Bouanga Germán Berterame Wessam Abou Ali Columbus Crew Stephen Eustáquio

The 2026 MLS season has arrived and so has the race for the 2026 MLS Golden Boot, with stars across the league seeking to lift the trophy in the league's 31st season.

Fresh off winning MLS Cup with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi enters the season as the defending champion, having netted 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 games in 2025, amassing the most goal contributions in a single season.

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