MLS Top Scorer 2024: Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez Behind in Golden Boot Race

The race for the 2024 MLS top goal scorer has taken a new shape after Lionel Messi picked up a high ankle sprain injury, which kept the record six-time European Golden Boot out for six to eight weeks. As the MLS season is going to an end, DC United's striker Christian Benteke is currently leading the race with 22 goals, but the battle for the award is clearly still on with the regular season remaining few matches left. The odds for Inter Miami's duo Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have increased magnificently, but can they get back into the race?

Former Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke has been looking sharp in the frontline of DC United since signing for the club in 2022. The Belgian forward is not giving up in the race for his first MLS Golden Boot award since the Belgian forward scored a hat-trick in the 2024 MLS opening match in February against the New England Revolution. Since then, he has been in excellent goal scoring form as Benteke becomes the first D.C. United player to hit 20 goals or more since Luciano Emílio. He added to his tally in his last match against Nashville SC. However, DC United's next two MLS outings are tough, which might play a big impact on his chances of winning the award.

Los Angeles FC striker Denis Bouanga is not giving up in the race to become the first winner of the Golden Boot in two successive seasons. He won the award title last season for LAFC after scoring 20 goals last season. However, in the new campaign, the Gabon striker made a slow goalscoring start to the MLS, but he is now in great contention for the title as he trails Cristian Benteke with three goals. He now has 67 goals in 100 all-competition appearances for LAFC, having joined just over two years ago from Ligue 1. Denis Bouanga's chances of winning the award are high because he has a high shot average of 0.36 goals per game in club competitions. Bouanga has three matches to surpass Christian Benteke in the Golden Boot race title.

Luis Suarez has failed to replicate his La Liga goal-scoring form in the MLS season at Inter Miami. The five-time La Liga champion Luis Suárez, after moving to Inter Miami in 2023, has so far recorded 18 goals for his new club and managed to provide six assists. The Uruguayan striker has the second-best goals-per-game ratio among the Golden Boot contenders, only behind Lionel Messi. Suarez, in his last appearance for Inter Miami, ended his three-match goal-scoring drought by scoring a superb goal in his side's 3-2 win over Colombus Crew. However, Luis Suarez's chances of winning the MLS Golden Boot title have been reduced to 4.8 implied probability.

Prediction: Denis Bouanga's chances of winning the award are high because he has a high shot average of 0.36 goals per game in club competitions. Los Angeles has a game at hand, which provides him a chance at leveling with Christian Benteke.