Lionel Messi has been crowned the top scorer of the 2025 Major League Soccer season—an achievement he had already accomplished in other leagues. But how does that compare to Cristiano Ronaldo?

Inter Miami attacker Lionel Messi bagged a hat-trick against Nashville SC in the final game of the 2025 regular season to finish as the top scorer in the Major League Soccer (MLS).Messi broke the

Landon Donovan secures a spot on the podium. The American is not only his country’s record assist provider but also the record goal scorer (57 goals). For the latter, however, he has to share the top spot with Clint Dempsey.

A closer look at the numbers suggests what Messi accomplished in 2025 was more impressive and should be considered the greatest attacking season in MLS history.

Lionel Messi now has one more international assist than his former Barcelona and Paris-Saint Germain teammate Neymar.

Inter Miami ultimately won 5–2 away at Nashville SC, with Messi not only scoring three goals himself but even selflessly setting up the fifth in stoppage time. He thus finishes the regular MLS season as top scorer with 29 goals in 28 games.