Lionel Messi continues to etch his name into the history books of Major League Soccer, securing a spot alongside LAFC’s Denis Bouanga in an exclusive statistical club. The Inter Miami captain reached yet another major goalscoring milestone during his clash with San Diego FC, underlining his relentless consistency since making his move to the United States.
Messi found the back of the net in Inter Miami's thrilling 2-2 draw against San Diego FC on Matchday 27, curling a magnificent free kick into the net. The strike marked his 20th MLS goal of the 2026 season, further extending his extraordinary run of elite production since departing European soccer.
The Argentine's latest strike came on the heels of another monumental milestone in his Inter Miami career. Just days prior, Messi scored his 100th goal for the club across all competitions, leading the Herons to a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul in the 2026 Campeones Cup.
Following that milestone, Monday's brilliant free kick brought his tally to 101 goals for Inter Miami, paired with 58 assists in 116 appearances across all competitions. At 39 years old, the legendary playmaker continues to perform at an extraordinary level deep into the latter stages of his career.
Monday's goal was also Messi's 75th career free-kick strike, placing him second on the all-time list for goals from direct free kicks. Beyond its historical brilliance, the strike secured yet another 20-goal campaign for the Argentine icon in MLS.
An Exclusive MLS Club: Messi Matches Bouanga's Feat
That 20th goal highlighted the immense significance of Messi's achievement. With the goal, he became only the second player in MLS history to record three consecutive regular seasons with 20 or more goals, joining LAFC star Denis Bouanga. Bouanga established the feat first, scoring 20 goals in 2023, 20 in 2024, and 24 in 2025.
Messi has now matched that feat after recording 20 goals in 2024, 29 in 2025, and 20 so far in 2026. The accomplishment is particularly remarkable given his partial debut season in the league. After joining Inter Miami in July 2023, the Argentine scored just one regular-season goal in six appearances before transitioning into an absolute powerhouse over his first three full campaigns.
| Player | 2023 Season | 2024 Season | 2025 Season | 2026 Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denis Bouanga | 20 goals | 20 goals | 24 goals | 13 goals |
| Lionel Messi | — | 21 goals | 35 goals | 20 goals |
Bouanga deserves immense credit for establishing this elite standard before Messi joined the club. The LAFC forward became the first player in MLS history to produce three consecutive 20-goal regular seasons, launching the streak with his Golden Boot-winning campaign in 2023. His production remained remarkably consistent, delivering 20 goals in 2024 and 24 in 2025.
The 31-year-old Gabonese forward has continued his scoring ways in 2026 as well, though his current campaign remains ongoing. Placing both forwards in such rare territory highlights the incredible difficulty of the feat. While many MLS stars can claim individual 20-goal seasons, sustaining that level of dominance over three consecutive years requires an extraordinary level of consistency.
Denis Bouanga #99 of Los Angeles Football Club shoots and scores against Liga Deportiva Alajuelense.
Messi's MLS Dominance By The Numbers
Messi's production since his first full MLS campaign has been nothing short of spectacular. He recorded 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 games in 2024, followed by a staggering 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 appearances in 2025. His 2026 campaign is rapidly approaching those historic figures, boasting 20 goals and 13 assists in 23 matches so far.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami.
That gives Messi an incredible 33 goal contributions for the current season, placing him at the very top of the league's goalscoring charts while simultaneously establishing him as one of its premier playmakers. This dual consistency is particularly striking, as Messi has seamlessly blended elite goalscoring with masterful playmaking. Throughout his Inter Miami career, his ability to create opportunities for teammates has remained just as vital as his world-class finishing.
