5 MLS records Lionel Messi can break this season

When Lionel Messi arrived in South Florida in 2023, he didn’t just join Major League Soccer—he began an unprecedented assault on its history books.

After two seasons of jaw-dropping goals and record-breaking crowds, the Inter Miami captain enters the 2026 campaign with a chance to do the unthinkable: shatter milestones that have stood since the league’s inception. As the whistle blows on the new season, we look at five historic MLS records that are officially on ‘Messi Watch.

Here are five MLS records Messi could realistically break this season, according to Planet Football

1. Back-to-Back Golden Boot Awards

No player in MLS history has won consecutive Golden Boot awards. Five players — Preki, Taylor Twellman, Jeff Cunningham, Chris Wondolowski, and Bradley Wright-Phillips — have each won two, but none did so consecutively. Messi won the Golden Boot last season with 29 goals and could make history by claiming it again.

2. Highest-Scoring Argentine in MLS History

Currently, Diego Valeri holds the record with 93 goals in 288 appearances. Messi enters the 2026 season with 57 MLS goals, meaning he needs 36 more to match Valeri’s tally, a challenging but achievable milestone.

3. First Inter Miami Player to Reach 100 Goal Contributions

Messi already leads Inter Miami in both goals and assists in MLS play, with 50 goals and 28 assists (78 combined). He needs 22 more combined goals and assists to become the first player in the club’s history to reach 100 in the league.

4. First Player to Win Three MLS MVP Awards

Messi has won the MLS MVP award in each of the last two seasons, becoming the first player to win it consecutively. He is tied with Preki as the only two-time winners. A third MVP would make him the first player in league history to win it three times, and in consecutive years no less.

5. Most Hat-Tricks in MLS History

Messi has recorded two hat-tricks in MLS so far, five short of the all-time record held by Josef Martínez. While it is a long shot, a prolific scoring run similar to his 2018 form at Barcelona could put the record within reach.

As the 2026 season unfolds, Messi once again has the chance to cement his legacy in MLS and break records that could stand for years.

His combination of skill, consistency, and vision makes him a real contender to achieve these historic milestones.

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