Lionel Messi agrees to extend Inter Miami deal MLS announces
Major League Soccer confirmed on Thursday that Lionel Messi has agreed to extend his contract with Inter Miami.
The leagues Spanish language account on X stated Official Leo Messi will remain an MLS player with Inter Miami.
Inter Miamis X account shared a video showing Messi signing the contract at a table inside the clubs forthcoming stadium still under construction with the caption Hes Home.
Sources familiar with the agreement told AFP that the Argentine stars new deal will keep him at Inter Miami until the close of the 2028 season.
The 38 year old World Cup champion current agreement runs out at the end of the 2025 MLS season.
An extension was seen as inevitable following reports from club insiders to AFP last month about the teams agreement on the new terms.
Messis renewed contract guarantees his involvement in top level matches right up to and beyond the 2026 World Cup in the United States Canada and Mexico.
The event begins on June 11 with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 following a difficult period at Paris Saint Germain though most of his outstanding career unfolded at Barcelona from 2004 to 2021 after rising through the clubs youth ranks.
During his Barcelona tenure he secured the La Liga championship ten times and the UEFA Champions League four times.
In 2022 he guided Argentina to victory at the World Cup in Qatar and he has voiced hopes of defending the title next year.
He has netted 114 goals for his country and claimed the Copa America twice with Argentina in 2021 and 2024.
Messis MLS and international record
Messi might feature in a sixth World Cup next year potentially breaking the all time record though his long standing competitor Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal could tie it.
The eight time Ballon dOr recipient needs just three more strikes to equal Miroslav Klose record of 16 World Cup goals.
Argentina secured qualification for the upcoming tournament with ease ending nine points ahead in the South American standings.
Messi topped the scoring charts with eight goals including two in possibly his final home qualifier against Venezuela a fortnight back.
Despite Inter Miamis playoff exit he earned the MLS Most Valuable Player accolade for 2024.
In 2025 he set a record as the quickest to hit 40 goals in MLS history.
This campaign Messi has steered Miami into the playoffs after they placed third in the Eastern Conference.
He concluded the regular season with an impressive hat trick in a 5 2 win over Nashville SC on Saturday amassing 29 goals in 28 games to claim the MLS Golden Boot.