In the electric world of Major League Soccer, few storylines capture attention like the mls top scorers 2024/25 race. Goals force headlines, build legends, and define entire seasons. As fans track week by week, every brace or late winner becomes a chapter in a broader saga. Today, CantoKick invites you to dive deep into the Golden Boot chase, comparing the current frontrunners, reliving last year’s scorers, and exploring what lies ahead.
The Golden Boot Race: Who’s Leading in 2025?
As the 2025 MLS regular season approaches its climax, the mls top scorers 2024/25 race is tighter than ever. Data from the latest league tallies shows:
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Inter Miami CF | 24 |
| 2 | Denis Bouanga | LAFC | 23 edia]) |
| 3 | Sam Surridge | Nashville SC | 22 |
| 4 | Dejan Joveljić | Sporting Kansas City | 18 |
| 5 | Hugo Cuypers / Alonso Martínez / Evander / Petar Musa | Various | 17 |
Messi currently sits at the top, but Bouanga and Surridge breathe down his neck. One slip, injury, or red-hot scoring streak could quickly change the order. otball Dive])
Messi’s Return To Scoring Dominance
In his second full season in MLS, Messi has rediscovered his goal-scoring form. With 24 goals, he leads not just by volume, but by consistency. The Argentine’s interplay, movement, and edge in big moments continue to put defenses on edge.
Bouanga: The Relentless Chaser
Denis Bouanga is chasing history. Having already notched 23 this season, he’s pushed dee. His consistency has made him the primary threat to Messi’s dominance.
Surridge: The Dark Horse
Sam Surridge has quietly been among the most dangerous forwards in MLS. With 22 goals and fewer eyes on him than the “superstars,” he could be the x-factor that flips the Golden Boot outcome.
Reflecting On 2024: The Benchmark Year
To appreciate how remarkable this season is, we must look back at 2024 — when the mls top scorers 2024/25 race was just a forecast in the making.
- Christian Benteke claimed the 2024 Golden Boot with 23 goals.
- Behind him, three players tied at 20 goals: Denis Bouanga, Lionel Messi, and Luis Suárez.
- A crowded chase ensured that each match until Decision Day had weight.
That campaign set a high bar: scoring 20+ in MLS is an elite benchmark, and now, multiple players are pushing past it in 2025.
Patterns & Insights In The Scoring Race
Goals per Match (Scoring Efficiency)
Raw goal totals are impressive, but consistency matters. Messi has taken 24 goals in 24 matches (1.00 ratio), while Bouanga’s 23 in 29 yields ~0.79. Efficiency could be decisive in tight stretches.
Scoring Streaks vs. Droughts
All frontrunners have seen hot and cold spells. Messiursts often coincide with Miami’s victories; Bouanga typically scores when LAFC needs it most. Surridge has found recent consistency, with fewer cold patches.
Impact of Assists and All-around Play
A forward can’t just score — mobility, link-up, and assists matter. Though the Golden Boot hinges on goals, those who contribute in other ways add pressure on defenses and open pockets for scoring.
What Could Tip The Scales?
Injuries & Fatigue
With the season’s end near, player fitness could become the wildcard. Any muscle strain, knock, or red card can derail momentum.
Schedule & Opponents
Remaining fixtures matter. A run of matches against weaker defenses could help a forward run up the tally. Likewise, games outside home are tougher for goal-getters.
Team Support & Tactical Shifts
Managers may lean on their attackers differently. Miami’s system might feed Messi more chances; LAFC might shift to support Bouanga; Nashville could retool around Surridge. These tactical tweaks carry weight.
Mental & Psychological Pressure
The pressure to perform in final matchweeks intensifies. Leaders often thrive under the spotlight, but challengers might crack under expectation.
Golden Boot Predictions & Scenarios
- Messi holds on — His consistency, clutch goals, and team support make him the favorite.
- Bouanga overtakes late — If LAFC’s schedule is kind and Bouanga stays uninjured, he’s the most plausible threat.
- Surridge shocker — If Nashville can lean into ideal service and he finds a hot scoring run, surprise isn’t impossible.
- Split finishes? — In a rare case, goal ties could require tiebreakers though MLS doesn’t often go there.
Watch for matchdays 33–34: those last games are often decisive, and one double could tip the balance.
Historical Context & Records Worth Chasing
To frame this race in broader MLS history:
- The single-season record for goals is 34, set by Carlos Vela in 2019.
- Scoring 20+ goals in successive seasons is rare and marks all-time performers; Bouanga’s consistency may etch him in elite company.
- Achieving double digits in both goals and assists within a season highlights all-round excellence — Messi nearly achieved this in earlier seasons.
If Messi, Bouanga or Surridge hit these milestones, they’ll not only win the mls top scorers 2024/25 race — they’ll join an historic pantheon.
Conclusion
mls top scorers 2024/25 remains one of the most electrifying narratives in MLS this year. It’s more than just a battle for the Golden Boot — it’s a duel of consistency, skill, pressure, and timing. With Messi at 24, Bouanga breathing down at 23, and Surridge looming on 22, fans will be watching each match as a potential turning point.
CantoKick will stay on top of every twist in this dramatic race. Stay tuned, engage in the discussion — and don’t miss a moment as these titans chase MLS immortality.
