Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami training after a short break following Argentina's 2026 World Cup final defeat to Spain, and came off the bench in a 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew for his first appearance back. With MLS playoffs and the Leagues Cup still to come, here's everything to know about Messi's 2026 season.

Messi's 2026 season by the numbers

Through the middle of the 2026 MLS regular season, Messi has scored 12 league goals and 13 across all competitions, making him Inter Miami's leading scorer for the campaign. He's continuing to combine MLS regular-season duty with Inter Miami's Leagues Cup group-stage matches against Mexican sides San Luis and Monterrey.

Defending MLS Cup champions

Inter Miami enter 2026 as defending MLS Cup champions for the first time in club history, after beating the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 2025 MLS Cup final. That title, combined with Messi's continued scoring form, has made Inter Miami's 2026 campaign one of the most closely watched in MLS history.

2025's Golden Boot pedigree

For context on just how dominant Messi has been in MLS: he won the 2025 MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals and 19 assists, a standout season that included nine multi-goal games — the most in a single MLS season. His 2026 tally is on a slower pace so far, but he remains the league's most watched player by a wide margin.

Balancing club and country

Messi's 2026 has been a rare double workload: a full World Cup campaign with Argentina that ran all the way to the final in July, followed almost immediately by a return to MLS duty with Inter Miami. Managing that combination — international tournament football deep into the summer, then straight back into a title defence — is exactly the kind of scheduling strain that has shortened other stars' peak seasons, making his continued scoring form all the more notable.

What's next

With the Leagues Cup group stage and the remainder of the MLS regular season still to play, Inter Miami's run-in will decide whether they can add the MLS Supporters' Shield or a Leagues Cup title to their existing MLS Cup crown before the playoffs begin.

Why this matters for new US soccer fans

Messi's move to MLS has coincided with a genuine surge in American interest in soccer, accelerated further by the record-breaking 2026 World Cup hosted across the US, Mexico and Canada. If you're new to the sport and want the basics, our soccer rules explained guide is a good place to start — and you can relive Messi's World Cup campaign with Argentina in our 2026 World Cup recap.

For official MLS stats and standings, see MLSsoccer.com.

FAQ

How many goals has Messi scored in MLS in 2026?

12 MLS regular-season goals and 13 across all competitions through the middle of the 2026 season, making him Inter Miami's top scorer.

Is Inter Miami the defending MLS Cup champion?

Yes — Inter Miami won their first MLS Cup title in 2025, beating the Vancouver Whitecaps in the final.

Did Messi play in the 2026 World Cup final?

Yes. Messi and Argentina lost the final 1-0 to Spain after extra time on 19 July 2026, with Messi winning the tournament's Silver Ball award.

How many goals did Messi score to win the 2025 MLS Golden Boot?

29 goals with 19 assists, a season that included nine multi-goal games — the most in a single MLS season at the time.