Lionel Messi joins Denis Bouanga in elite MLS club

By Jonathan Sigal

Stop us if you've heard this one before: Lionel Messi has rewritten the MLS record books.

The Argentine superstar netted his 20th goal of the 2026 season during Inter Miami CF's 2-2 draw with San Diego FC, curling home a free kick in Matchday 27's Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire clash.

That made Messi the second player in MLS history to score 20+ goals in three straight seasons, joining LAFC's Denis Bouanga (2023-25) in that esteemed territory.

Messi's latest strike extended his lead atop the Golden Boot presented by Audi charts; he boasts a league-best 33 goal contributions and paces MLS in goals (20) and assists (13).

The iconic No. 10 could become the first three-time Landon Donovan MLS MVP award winner, and has eight regular-season games left to make his case.

Below are Messi's regular-season stats since joining the Herons in July 2023, a move that transformed North American soccer.

Earlier this week, Messi brought the Herons silverware with a man-of-the-match showing in the 2026 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup. He scored the 100th goal of his Miami career (all competitions) in that 2-0 victory over LIGA MX side Cruz Azul.

Now, with his free-kick strike against San Diego, Messi is up to 101 goals and counting for the defending MLS Cup presented by Audi champions.

WATCH: Messi, Dreyer trade goals in Miami-San Diego thriller