Lionel Messi Signs Contract Extension To Remain At Inter Miami

‎Inter Miami announced on Thursday that Lionel Messi has agreed to a contract extension.

‎The club shared a video on X showing Messi signing the deal at a table inside the new stadium, which is still under construction, with the caption: “He’s Home.”

‎The Argentine superstar’s new contract will see him remain with Inter through the end of the 2028 season, sources with knowledge of the deal confirmed to AFP.

‎The 38-year-old World Cup-winner’s current contract expires at the end of the 2025 MLS season.

‎A deal viewed as a formality last month, according to club sources cited by AFP, has now been confirmed as an extension.

‎Messi’s contract ensures he will remain in competitive action through and beyond the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

‎The tournament gets underway on June 11th, with the final to be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19th.

‎Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 following an unhappy stint at Paris Saint-Germain. The majority of his legendary career, however, was spent at Barcelona, where he rose through the club’s youth system and played from 2004 to 2021. During his time there, he won 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies.

‎In 2022, he led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar and has expressed a desire to try to retain the trophy next year.

‎He has scored 114 international goals and also won the Copa America twice with Argentina, in 2021 and 2024.

‎Messi’s Record-Breaking Impact

‎Messi could play at a sixth World Cup next year, which would set a new all-time record, although he could be matched by long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal.

‎The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is also just three goals short of Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 career World Cup goals.

‎Argentina comfortably booked a spot at next year’s finals, finishing nine points clear at the top of the South American qualifying table.

‎Messi finished as the top scorer with eight goals, including a brace in what may have been his last competitive match on home soil against Venezuela two weeks ago.

‎He was named the MLS Most Valuable Player in the 2024 season even though Inter Miami was eliminated in the playoffs.

‎In 2025, Lionel Messi became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 40 goals. This season, he has guided Inter Miami back into the playoffs after securing a third-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

‎Messi capped off the regular season with a brilliant hat-trick in a 5-2 victory over Nashville SC last Saturday.

‎He finished with 29 goals in 28 matches, earning the MLS Golden Boot award.