Surprise name ahead of superstar Lionel Messi in MLS scoring charts

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 17 Sep 2025 08:00 CDT
• 1 min read

News

Lionel Messi has been a goalscoring and goal-making machine since moving to Major League Soccer.

So far in the 2025 MLS season, the Argentine superstar has scored 20 goals and recorded 11 assists in just 21 games for Inter Miami - an astonishing record.

However, there is a surprise name at the top of the goalscoring charts.

Sam Surridge currently plies his trade with Nashville and the former Bournemouth striker has 21 goals and four assists in 30 matches.

Yes, Surridge has played significantly more games than Messi, but being ahead of the multiple-time Ballon d'Or winner in the goalscorer standings is quite the feat.

English football fans will be aware of Surridge, who had somewhat of a journeyman career in the United Kingdom before his $6.5 million switch from Nottingham Forest to Nashville FC in July of 2023.

The 27-year-old started his career with Bournemouth before subsequent moves to Weymouth, Poole Town, Yeovil Town, Oldham Athletic and Swansea City.

In 2021, he completed a permanent transfer to Stoke City before moving to Forest a year later.

MLS top goalscorers (2025)

Here is how the top scorer standings in MLS look currently.