Messi Dominates MLS Golden Boot Race

It's fascinating to watch Lionel Messi in the MLS, isn't it? We're seeing a player who, even at this stage of his career, can still utterly transform a team. Just last week, as reported by Sports Illustrated, he was sitting out a friendly for Argentina, with coach Lionel Scaloni wanting to give other players a look. But when Inter Miami asked for him to be released, and when he himself saw the opportunity, he was ready to go. And boy, did he deliver.

Against Atlanta United, Messi showed us exactly why he's considered one of the greatest ever. He didn't just score; he orchestrated the attack, even assisting on another goal. It’s incredible to think that he’s now leading the MLS golden boot race with 26 goals. That’s two clear of Denis Bouanga from LAFC. And it’s not just about scoring. As we head towards the end of the regular season, Messi has contributed to more goals than a significant number of teams in the league. Sports Illustrated noted that he has 44 goal contributions in just 27 appearances this season, a testament to his enduring brilliance.

He's also in the running for MVP, and if he wins it, it would be his second consecutive award, a feat not achieved before. Imagine that – becoming the first to win it back-to-back. It makes you wonder about the impact one player can have on a league, especially one as globally watched as the mls. His presence has clearly elevated the competition and brought a new level of excitement.

And the magic doesn't seem to be stopping. Just recently, Messi delivered a hat-trick in Inter Miami's 5-2 win over Nashville SC, securing a third-place finish in the Eastern Conference for his team. The fact that they'll meet Nashville again in the playoffs adds an extra layer of drama to what's already proving to be a thrilling conclusion to the MLS season. As we look ahead, with Messi in such stellar form, can Inter Miami go all the way and win the MLS Cup?