Christian Benteke Beats Messi and Suárez in the Race for the 2024 MLS Golden Boot

In 2024, Christian Benteke showed that you don’t need a big name to make a splash in a league that’s getting more competitive by the minute, packed with global superstars. He snagged the MLS Golden Boot, leaving behind none other than Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, two soccer giants that barely need an introduction. Yeah, Benteke went out there and netted 23 times, while these Inter Miami icons hit the back of the net 20 times each.

But despite all the Belgian’s efforts, D.C. United still failed to make the playoffs. Isn’t that just a bitter irony? The guy walks away with the league’s top scorer title, yet his team finishes 10th in the Eastern Conference. And to top it off, they got thrashed 3-0 by Charlotte FC in the final round, nailing the coffin shut on any hope of contending in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup.

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So what’s the problem? Is it the team? Or maybe it’s just the way the league is set up. Like it or not, MLS loves its playoff format, which always adds an air of uncertainty. And let’s be real, that doesn’t exactly help the smaller-market teams. Even Benteke, with his 23 masterclasses on the field, ended up with nothing to celebrate.

Benteke is now the third player in D.C. United’s history to win the Golden Boot, joining legends like Dwayne De Rosario in 2011 and Luciano Emilio in 2007.

On the flip side, seeing Messi and Suárez fall short in the race for top scorer is at least a little surprising. These two came into MLS with a tidal wave of hype, and honestly, who didn’t expect one of them to dominate the league? But Benteke, quietly doing his thing, showed he still has that killer instinct; that "goal-scoring nose" that makes all the difference.

Now, taking a look at the standings, D.C. United wrapped up the season with 40 points, thanks to 10 wins, 14 losses, and 10 draws. It doesn’t seem like a complete disaster, but in MLS, the margins are razor-thin, and any slip-up can cost you big. That loss on Decision Day to Charlotte FC? It was the final blow.

Maybe it was the defense that couldn’t hold up. Maybe the midfield didn’t create enough chances. Or maybe, just maybe, MLS is still a tough puzzle for players like Benteke to crack the way they deserve.

But you can’t ignore the Belgian’s impact. In a league that prides itself on being a mix of spectacle and competitiveness, Benteke was a constant, looming presence on the field. He’s not the kind of player who’s going to show up in the highlight reels with jaw-dropping dribbles or flashy moves; but he’ll be right there, in the right spot, at the right time, pushing the ball into the net. And that’s exactly what he did, all season long.