MLS top goal scorers 2023: Golden Boot race in Major League Soccer as Messi throws wrinkle into race

Forwards know that with goals come wins, and so the league's top scorers will make an extra effort to find the back of the net.

Inter Miami, who return to league play sitting last in the Eastern Conference standings, will hope that Lionel Messi's explosion from the Leagues Cup will translate to MLS action. The Argentine scored 10 goals in seven matches to begin life in the United States, and everyone is expecting him to keep that pace up.

It's been a down year for goalscorers in Major League Soccer, with Hany Mukhtar leading the league on just 13 goals through 24 matches. Aside from the COVID-shortened 2020 season, the league has seen its Golden Boot winner score at least 19 goals in each of the past 12 years.

MLS Top Scorers list for 2023 season

The Sporting News will be updating the table below during every matchday of the 2023 MLS season through to the final regular season matches on October 21, 2023.

Updated as of Sunday, August 20, 2023.

Odds to win MLS Golden Boot 2023

Some sports books have installed Lionel Messi as the favorite to win the league's Golden Boot award, which is truly incredible given Messi is starting on zero goals with just 11 games remaining in the league season.

Outside the Argentine sensation, current leader Hany Mukhtar sports the lowest odds, while the likes of Denis Bouanga and Georgios Giakoumakis are right behind.

How many goals does Lionel Messi have in MLS?

Starting from zero with just 11 games remaining, Lionel Messi has a lot of catching up to do, but if Inter Miami are to make a historic run from the bottom of the Eastern Conference into a playoff position, they will need Messi to pour on the goals like he did in the Leagues Cup.

While Messi led Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup title with 10 goals in seven games, he has yet to play an MLS fixture. His league schedule will begin on August 26 when Inter Miami travel to face the New York Red Bulls.

Messi MLS goals in 2023

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.

*2020 MLS season was shortened to 23 matches due to COVID-19 pandemic