Messi wins back-to-back MLS Golden Boots as Miami draw 3-3

Lionel Messi has become the first player to win back-to-back MLS Golden Boot awards. The same Saturday, 7 November 2026, came with a twist: Inter Miami led Charlotte 3-0 and finished level at 3-3.

A 3-0 lead that ended 3-3

The first half of the scoresheet belonged to Miami. Ian Fray opened in the 14th minute, Luis Suarez added the second in the 33rd and R. de Paul made it 3-0 in the 42nd.

Messi set up the first two goals at Miami's Nu Stadium, both from corners. He provided the corner that led to Fray's early opener and later contributed to Suarez's close-range strike.

Then the story flipped. Liel Abada scored in the 50th and 55th minutes, and Rodolfo Aloko tied it in the 90th. Every goal and minute is laid out on our Inter Miami vs Charlotte match page.

What the table says

Miami finished second in the Eastern Conference with 60 points from 34 games and a goal difference of 21. Here is how the top six looks after the final round:

• Nashville SC: 77 points
• Inter Miami: 60 points
• New England Revolution: 58 points
• Chicago Fire: 55 points
• Charlotte: 54 points
• Philadelphia Union: 50 points

Charlotte, the side that came back, sit fifth on 54 points with a goal difference of 15.

Form check: D W D L W

Miami's last five league games read D W D L W. Newest first: the 3-3 draw with Charlotte at home, a 2-1 win away at New England Revolution, a 2-2 draw at home to FC Cincinnati, a 0-2 defeat away at New York Red Bulls and a 3-1 win away at Atlanta Utd.

That is two draws at home in the run, and both featured plenty of goals. Nito thinks the pattern is worth noting: Miami score freely, but the Charlotte game shows a lead is never quite the end of the conversation with this side.

For Messi, the individual line is the headline. Winning the Golden Boot once is hard; being the first to do it in consecutive seasons puts his name in a column of its own in the MLS record books. Two assists from corners in this game show his influence goes beyond finishing, too.

What's next

Miami's regular season is done, and the playoffs come next. Their opponents will be the Columbus Crew. Nito will be watching whether the attack that built a 3-0 lead can also hold one when it matters most. Keep up with every Miami fixture and stat on our Inter Miami team page.

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