Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami was due to expire at the end of 2025, but the Argentine icon has extended his deal with the MLS club for a further three years
Lionel Messi has signed a new three-year contract with Inter Miami, ending speculation over his retirement in the near future. Messi, 38, was approaching the end of his two-and-a-half-year deal that he signed with the MLS club in July 2023.
But the eight-time Ballon d’Or wants to continue his journey in Miami for another three seasons after putting pen to paper on an extension. The news was confirmed on Thursday via the team’s social media channels.
Miami posted a video showing Messi in a suit signing a contract on the dirt pitch at Miami Freedom Park, the club’s under-construction new stadium, which is due to open before the 2026 World Cup in North America. “HE’S HOME,” they added.
Messi’s extension comes at the perfect time for the club, who are co-owned by David Beckham. Miami will start a best-of-three series at home to Nashville – who Messi scored a hat-trick against just last week – on Friday as part of the MLS play-offs.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar has had a massive impact on and off the pitch in MLS. Messi lifted the inaugural Leagues Cup in 2023 before firing Miami to the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, breaking a league record for the most points during a single season in the process.
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But the Argentina captain cast doubt over his future in September by admitting it was ‘logical’ that he wouldn’t play at the next World Cup. “Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it,” Messi claimed.
“But well, we’re almost there, so I’m excited and motivated to play it. Like I always say, I go day by day, match by match. That’s it, taking it day by day, going by how I feel, trying to feel good and, above all, being honest with myself.
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“When I feel good, I enjoy it, but when I don’t, honestly, I don’t have a good time, so I prefer not to be there if I don’t feel good – so we’ll see. I haven’t made a decision about the World Cup.
“Match by match, I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have pre-season, and there will be six months left – so we’ll see how I feel. Hopefully, I’ll have a good pre-season in 2026 and finish this MLS season well and then I’ll decide.”
That decision has been made earlier than anticipated, keeping him in Florida until late 2028.
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