Lionel Messi's advancing age stands as the central factor anchoring the strong trader consensus against him claiming the 2027 MLS Golden Boot. At 39 and turning 40 during the campaign, the Inter Miami forward faces heightened injury risk and potential reductions in minutes despite his continued scoring prowess, including a league-leading 20 goals through mid-September 2026. Younger forwards like Petar Musa and others have shown consistent double-digit tallies amid a deeper pool of attacking talent, while historical patterns show few players sustaining elite goal rates into their fifth decade. Upcoming roster changes, Miami's demanding schedule, and the absence of confirmed extensions beyond 2028 add further uncertainty, keeping market-implied odds firmly tilted toward no.