By Yaw Takyi Adofo

D.C. United’s Christian Benteke was crowned the top scorer of MLS 2024, and Audi presented the Golden Boot.
With seven assists, the ex-Liverpool and Aston Villa forward surpassed Denis Bouanga from LAFC, Lionel Messi, and Luis Suárez from Inter Miami CF, all with 20 goals.
Following in the footsteps of Dwayne De Rosario (2011) and Luciano Emilio (2017), the Belgian star is now his club’s third-ever Golden Boot champion.
Benteke’s impressive display couldn’t save the Black-and-Red from missing out on the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, as they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Charlotte FC on Decision Day.
As a former Belgium national player, Benteke played a pivotal role for D.C. United, shouldering all attacking duties and being central to the team’s playing approach.
First and foremost, Benteke’s goals were crucial. Without them, D.C. United would have been out of playoff contention much earlier in the season.

Despite Benteke’s best efforts, D.C. United could not advance past the regular season and were eliminated from playoff contention on Decision Day. For the first time since Camilo Sanvezzo and the Vancouver Whitecaps failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2013, when Sanvezzo scored 22 goals, Benteke has won the Golden Boot without cutting. D.C. United were never far from the playoffs because of Benteke, but they lost on Decision Day and failed to cut. For the first time since Camilo Sanvezzo and the Vancouver Whitecaps could not qualify for the playoffs in 2013 when Sanvezzo scored 22 goals, Benteke has won the Golden Boot without making the cut.
The club rewarded the 33-year-old with a contract extension, keeping him with them through next season and possibly 2026.
His complete control in the air is almost more impressive than his Golden Boot victory. Benteke won an incredible 309 aerial duels, a feat that was almost three times more than the second-place finisher, his D.C. teammate Lucas Bartlett (109). Kevin Long from Toronto took third place with a mere 92 points.