Lionel Messi holds a commanding position in the MLS Golden Boot race thanks to his league-leading 23 goals—four clear of Petar Musa—with six regular-season matches remaining. The Inter Miami forward extended his advantage with a brace in a 4-0 win over D.C. United shortly after retiring from international duty, maintaining elite shot volume, key passes, and goal contributions alongside teammate Luis Suárez. Trader consensus reflects his proven finishing, Inter Miami’s attacking structure, and historical dominance as the 2025 winner. A realistic shift would require an injury or sharp decline for Messi combined with an unprecedented scoring surge from pursuers such as Musa, Brian White, or Kévin Denkey over the final stretch.