(Inter Miami CF Communications)
The 2024 MLS regular season saw Lionel Messi miss out on the Golden Boot despite the Argentina star leading Inter Miami to the Supporters' Shield.
Instead, it was former Liverpool striker Christian Benteke who claimed the award, which is given to the player who has scored the most goals in the league throughout the year, with assists as the tiebreaker should two players finish level at the top of the standings.
Benteke's 23 goals saw him clear of the chasing pack, with Messi, Suarez and Denis Bouanga — who won the prize last year after hitting 20 goals for LAFC — three back of the Belgian.
Messi did play significantly fewer minutes, of course, as Inter Miami coach Tata Martino managed his playing time carefully. He still ended the regular season with 20 goals and 11 assists, giving him a combined total above that of any other player.
MORE: Lionel Messi speaks out on his chances of playing at 2026 FIFA World Cup
MLS top goal scorer 2024: Final rankings
The Sporting News updated the table below during every matchday of the 2024 MLS regular season.
Updated on October 20, 2024
| Rank |
Player |
Club |
Goals (PKs) |
Assists |
Games |
Minutes |
| 1. |
Christian Benteke |
D.C. United |
23 (3) |
7 |
30 |
2601 |
| 2. |
Lionel Messi |
Inter Miami |
20 (1) |
16 |
32 |
1485 |
| 3. |
Denis Bouanga |
LAFC |
20 (7) |
11 |
19 |
2755 |
| 4. |
Luis Suarez |
Inter Miami |
20 (0) |
9 |
27 |
1920 |
| 5. |
Cucho Hernandez |
Columbus Crew |
19 (2) |
14 |
27 |
2118 |
Past MLS Golden Boot Winners
Prior to 2005, Major League Soccer used a point system to award its Scoring Champion, but since 2005 they have awarded a more traditional Golden Boot for the league's top scorer.
| Year |
Player |
Team |
Goals |
| 2024 |
Christian Benteke |
D.C. United |
23 |
| 2023 |
Denis Bouanga |
LAFC |
20 |
| 2022 |
Hany Mukhtar |
Nashville SC |
23 |
| 2021 |
Valentin Castellanos |
NYCFC |
19 |
| 2020* |
Diego Rossi |
LAFC |
14 |
| 2019 |
Carlos Vela |
LAFC |
34 |
| 2018 |
Josef Martinez |
Atlanta United |
31 |
| 2017 |
Nemanja Nikolic |
Chicago Fire |
24 |
| 2016 |
Bradley Wright-Phillips |
NY Red Bulls |
24 |
| 2015 |
Sebastian Giovinco |
Toronto FC |
22 |
| 2014 |
Bradley Wright-Phillips |
NY Red Bulls |
27 |
| 2013 |
Camilo Sanvezzo |
Vancouver |
22 |
| 2012 |
Chris Wondolowski |
SJ Earthquakes |
27 |
| 2011 |
Dwayne De Rosario |
D.C. United |
16 |
| 2010 |
Chris Wondolowski |
SJ Earthquakes |
18 |
| 2009 |
Jeff Cunningham |
FC Dallas |
17 |
| 2008 |
Landon Donovan |
LA Galaxy |
20 |
| 2007 |
Luciano Emilio |
D.C. United |
20 |
| 2006 |
Jeff Cunningham |
Real Salt Lake |
16 |
| 2005 |
Taylor Twellman |
NE Revolution |
17 |
*2020 MLS season was shortened to 23 matches due to COVID-19 pandemic