2024 MLS Golden Boot race: Lionel Messi leads the pack with 10 goals

  • Denis Bouanga took home the 2023 Golden Boot with LAFC
  • Lionel Messi and Cucho Hernandez are set to challenge Bouanga for the title
  • MLS players will have 34 regular-season games to cement themselves in the top-scoring charts
Messi leads the Golden Boot race
Messi leads the Golden Boot race / Maddie Meyer/GettyImages
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The 2024 Major League Soccer season is up and running along with the race for this year's Golden Boot winner.

With MLS sides known for having much more quality on the attacking side of the pitch, plenty of forwards and midfielders will rack up goals upon goals during the 34-game regular season.

Last season's Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga took home the award with 20 goals scored during regular-season action, but he faces stiff competition this time around.

Atlanta United's Giorgos Giakoumakis gave Bouanga a run for his money as he tallied 17 goals to win the Newcomer of the Year award in 2023 alongside reigning MVP Lucho Acosta. Cucho Hernandez bagged 16 goals to propel Columbus Crew to their third MLS Cup in December, and he'll look to do more of the same in the new season to lift the coveted title once more.

Check back here throughout the 2024 MLS campaign for the full Golden Boot standings:


2024 Golden Boot standings

Players with the same number of goals scored are separated by least minutes played.

Player

Team

Goals

Minutes Played

Lionel Messi

Inter Miami

10

675

Luis Suarez

Inter Miami

10

733

Cristian Arango

Real Salt Lake

9

985

Christian Benteke

DC United

8

810

Lewis Morgan

New York Red Bulls

7

861

Dejan Joveljic

LA Galaxy

6

668

Daniel Gazdag

Philadelphia Union

6

763

Raul Ruidiaz

Seattle Sounders

6

765

Denis Bouanga

LAFC

6

990

Tani Oluwaseyi

Minnesota United

5

348