MLS top goal scorer- Golden Boot award 2024: Updated Major League Soccer rankings as Lionel Messi aims for Golden Boot award
The 2024 MLS season is heating up, and the race for the Golden Boot award, given to the league's top scorer, is wide open.
Last Season's Winner:
Denis Bouanga of LAFC claimed the 2023 Golden Boot with 20 goals, continuing LAFC's dominance in the scoring race, winning it three times in the past five years.
Early Frontrunners:
This season, a new name sits atop the leaderboard: Cristian Arango of Real Salt Lake. However, a trio of established stars are hot on his heels:
Luis Suarez: Playing alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, Suarez has benefitted from Messi's playmaking, racking up 11 goals.
Christian Benteke: The powerful Belgian striker has found his scoring touch at D.C. United, also with 11 goals.
Messi's Impact:
Lionel Messi, in his first full MLS season, is electrifying the league. While he sits at number four with 10 goals, his influence goes beyond scoring. He holds the record for most goals contributed to in a single game (6) with a whopping 5 assists!
Season's Challenges:
Despite Messi's dominance, the demanding MLS schedule with long travel distances presents a challenge for any player to maintain peak scoring form. This keeps the Golden Boot race exciting, with several contenders still in the mix.
MLS top goal scorer 2024: Updated rankings
The e360hubs will update the table below during every matchday of the 2024 MLS season through to the final matches.
Updated on May 13, 2024
| Rank |
Player |
Club |
Goals (PKs) |
Assists |
Games |
Minutes |
| 1. |
Cristian Arango |
Real Salt Lake |
11 (1) |
7 |
12 |
1069 |
| 2. |
Luis Suarez |
Inter Miami |
11 (0) |
5 |
12 |
822 |
| = |
Christian Benteke |
D.C. United |
11 (1) |
2 |
10 |
897 |
| 4. |
Lionel Messi |
Inter Miami |
10 (1) |
12 |
9 |
765 |
| 5. |
Lewis Morgan |
NY Red Bulls |
8 (1) |
3 |
12 |
951 |
| 6. |
Raul Ruidiaz |
Seattle Sounders |
7 (4) |
1 |
12 |
841 |
| = |
Daniel Gazdag |
Philadelphia |
7 (2) |
1 |
10 |
853 |
Past MLS Golden Boot Winners
Prior to 2005, Major League Soccer used a point system to award its Scoring Champion, but since 2005 they have awarded a more traditional Golden Boot for the league's top scorer.
| Year |
Player |
Team |
Goals |
| 2023 |
Denis Bouanga |
LAFC |
20 |
| 2022 |
Hany Mukhtar |
Nashville SC |
23 |
| 2021 |
Valentin Castellanos |
NYCFC |
19 |
| 2020* |
Diego Rossi |
LAFC |
14 |
| 2019 |
Carlos Vela |
LAFC |
34 |
| 2018 |
Josef Martinez |
Atlanta United |
31 |
| 2017 |
Nemanja Nikolic |
Chicago Fire |
24 |
| 2016 |
Bradley Wright-Phillips |
NY Red Bulls |
24 |
| 2015 |
Sebastian Giovinco |
Toronto FC |
22 |
| 2014 |
Bradley Wright-Phillips |
NY Red Bulls |
27 |
| 2013 |
Camilo Sanvezzo |
Vancouver |
22 |
| 2012 |
Chris Wondolowski |
SJ Earthquakes |
27 |
| 2011 |
Dwayne De Rosario |
D.C. United |
16 |
| 2010 |
Chris Wondolowski |
SJ Earthquakes |
18 |
| 2009 |
Jeff Cunningham |
FC Dallas |
17 |
| 2008 |
Landon Donovan |
LA Galaxy |
20 |
| 2007 |
Luciano Emilio |
D.C. United |
20 |
| 2006 |
Jeff Cunningham |
Real Salt Lake |
16 |
| 2005 |
Taylor Twellman |
NE Revolution |
17 |
*2020 MLS season was shortened to 23 matches due to COVID-19 pandemic
