Sam Surridge’s American soccer adventure has reached a thrilling climax as the Nashville SC forward finds himself at the heart of one of Major League Soccer’s most compelling Golden Boot races in recent memory. The English striker, who made the bold leap from the UK to Tennessee, is now just three goals behind the legendary Lionel Messi in the league’s top scorer standings, with LAFC’s Denis Bouanga sandwiched between them. With the final weekend of the MLS regular season upon us, all eyes are on Surridge, Messi, and Bouanga as they battle for individual glory and a place in MLS history.
For Surridge, the journey to this point has been nothing short of transformative. “Moving to Major League Soccer has been a pivotal decision in my career,” Surridge reflected earlier this week. “I feel like I’ve made significant progress since I arrived.” That progress is evident not just in his numbers—23 league goals, 29 in all competitions—but in the way he’s quickly become the spearhead of Nashville’s attack and a fan favorite in Music City.
The Englishman’s impact was felt most dramatically earlier this month, when he scored the winning goal in the US Open Cup final, delivering Nashville a coveted trophy and further cementing his reputation as a clutch performer. At 27 years old, Surridge is thriving, and his sights are firmly set on the MLS Golden Boot—a prize that would cap off a remarkable first full season in the United States.
But the path to the top is far from easy, especially with Lionel Messi in the mix. The Inter Miami superstar leads the league with 26 goals, while Bouanga sits in second with 24. For Surridge, chasing Messi isn’t just about numbers—it’s a mental and emotional challenge, too. “Yeah, it’s great. It’s obviously made it more special the goals coming this year because I’m competing with him,” Surridge told The Overlap US. “But yeah, at the same time like throughout the season, I’ve always tried to kind of get to where I want to get to. If I carried on looking at his goals, I think I’d probably go crazy, because he’s scoring every week and it’s very draining.”
That sense of pressure is something Surridge has learned to manage. Rather than obsessing over Messi’s relentless scoring, he’s focused on consistency and self-belief—even when the goals haven’t come easily. “I think I’ve tried to keep consistent—even when I haven’t scored for two, three games, I’ve always said I know I’ll get my chance and I’ll get a goal. And I’ve tried to build that and I think this season has been great for me, where I’ve kind of consistently just gone back to what I want to do. And I’ve got the goals that I needed...Obviously competing with him is nice. But at the same time, I’ve had my goals where I wanted to get to and hopefully, I’m not done yet.”
Surridge’s adaptation to life in Nashville has been a story in itself. Coming from the UK, he was struck by the sheer size of the city and the warmth of its people. “People greet each other more openly compared to the UK,” he noted, adding that the community’s friendliness helped him settle in and step outside his comfort zone. The local culture has played a role in his quick integration, while the city’s growing soccer scene has provided an enthusiastic backdrop for his exploits on the pitch.
That enthusiasm for soccer has only intensified in recent years. Nashville SC is drawing bigger crowds than ever, and while the Tennessee Titans and local ice hockey teams still dominate the sports landscape, there’s a palpable sense that soccer is catching up fast. Surridge has noticed the surge in recognition: “Soccer’s popularity in Nashville has surged, with Nashville SC drawing larger crowds.” It’s a trend mirrored across the country, with MLS riding a wave of momentum as the 2026 World Cup approaches.
Of course, much of that momentum can be traced to the arrival of Lionel Messi. Surridge admits that Messi’s presence wasn’t the primary reason for his move, but acknowledges the impact: “Messi’s arrival in the MLS coincided with my move. It wasn’t the main reason, but it was an added incentive.” The Argentine’s star power has elevated the league’s global profile, boosted viewership on platforms like Apple TV, and drawn new fans to stadiums nationwide.
The Golden Boot chase has added another layer of intrigue to this season’s narrative. As things stand, Messi leads with 26 goals, Bouanga is just behind with 24, and Surridge is right there with 23. But the race isn’t just about numbers—it’s about the mental fortitude required to keep pace with a player like Messi. “If I carried on looking at his goals, I think I’d probably go crazy, because he’s scoring every week and it’s very draining,” Surridge confessed. Still, he’s relished the challenge, calling it “special” to be in the mix with such elite company.
Tonight, the drama reaches its peak as Nashville SC and Inter Miami face off in the final weekend of the regular season. The stakes couldn’t be higher for both teams and their star forwards. Across all competitions, Surridge has 29 goals to Messi’s 34, but in the league, the gap remains tantalizingly close. Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano has confirmed Messi’s availability for the clash, ensuring that the showdown will feature both Golden Boot contenders on the field.
For Messi, the Golden Boot would be his first since joining Inter Miami in the summer of 2023. He came agonizingly close last year, only to be edged out by D.C. United’s Christian Benteke, who finished with 23 goals. This season, however, Messi’s relentless scoring has kept him at the summit—though Surridge and Bouanga are determined to make him sweat until the final whistle.
While the Golden Boot is the individual prize at stake, the broader context looms large. Inter Miami can no longer win the Supporters’ Shield this season, leaving the MLS Cup as their only hope for silverware. Nashville, buoyed by Surridge’s heroics in the US Open Cup and his remarkable debut season, will be eager to finish strong and build momentum heading into the playoffs.
As the curtain falls on the regular season, the MLS Golden Boot race stands as a testament to the league’s growing quality and global appeal. Sam Surridge, once a newcomer adjusting to the heat and hustle of American soccer, is now a household name in Nashville and a genuine contender for one of the league’s top honors. The final act is set, the protagonists are ready, and fans across the country are bracing for a Decision Day showdown that could go down in MLS history.
No matter the outcome, Surridge’s journey has already left its mark—on Nashville, on MLS, and on the ever-expanding world of American soccer.
