Lionel Messi has become only the second player in Major League Soccer history to score at least 20 goals in three consecutive seasons after scoring a free kick for Inter Miami against San Diego FC.
Messi reached the milestone during Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw with San Diego FC on Sunday, September 20, curling a free kick into the net for his 20th league goal of the 2026 season.
The Argentine joins Denis Bouanga as the only players to have achieved the feat. Bouanga scored at least 20 goals in three consecutive seasons between 2023 and 2025.
Messi has also recorded 13 assists in 23 MLS appearances this season, giving him 33 goal contributions and putting him at the top of the league’s goals and assists charts.
The goal also took Messi’s Inter Miami tally to 101 goals in all competitions.He scored his 100th Miami goal earlier in September during the club’s 2-0 Campeones Cup victory over Cruz Azul.
Messi has scored 20 league goals in 2024, 29 in 2025 and has now reached 20 again in 2026, with eight regular-season matches still remaining.