Indeed, Messi became the first player to claim the individual accolade in back-to-back years after leading the Herons to their maiden MLS Cup title last weekend. 

The Argentine is also only the second player to win the award more than once, after Predrag Radosavljevic, who claimed the title in 1997 and 2003 with the Kansas City Wizards. 

Messi finished the regular season with 29 goals and 19 assists, securing the Golden Boot ahead of Nashville SC's Sam Surridge and Los Angeles FC's Denis Bounaga. 

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner also became the first player in MLS history to finish a regular season with at least 18 goals and 18 assists. 

Overall, his 48 regular-season goal contributions fell just shy of the division's record, which is held by Carlos Vela during the 2019 season with LAFC (49).

Messi continued to shine in the playoffs for Miami, setting a league record with 15 goal contributions (six goals, nine assists) in postseason play. 

Two of those goal involvements came in their 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the final, after setting up Rodrigo De Paul and Tadeo Allende in the second half. 

Messi, who extended his stay with Javier Mascherano's team until 2028 in October, was also named as the MLS Cup 2025 MVP after his display at Chase Stadium. 

Since the 38 year-old arrived in Miami in July 2023, no player has registered more goal involvements than Messi's 101. 

He also kept up his record of winning a trophy in every season with the Herons, having led the club to the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters' Shield a year later.