Report: Messi set to sign Inter Miami contract through 2026
Lionel Messi's talks over a new Inter Miami contract are at an advanced stage and the iconic attacker is expected to sign fresh terms through 2026 soon, sources told The Athletic's David Ornstein.
The artful Argentine's current deal was due to expire at the end of the 2025 Major League Soccer campaign.
Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023. He's scored 42 goals and provided 21 primary assists in 48 appearances across all competitions for the club.
The South Florida franchise, which won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield with Messi, is set to move into a new venue named Miami Freedom Park next year.
"The stars are aligning for something great, for a beautiful future for the club and for Lionel. It's solely his decision," Miami managing owner Jorge Mas told FDP Radio Miami earlier this week, with translation from The Athletic.
"I expect that within 60-90 days we'll have to determine all of this. My hope has always been - and everything we're doing - is to see Messi play at our new stadium in 2026. Hopefully, that happens."
The influence of Messi, who turns 38 in June, doesn't appear to be waning at Inter Miami.
He's raced to three goals and two primary assists in four appearances in the 2025 MLS campaign despite head coach Javier Mascherano's careful efforts to manage Messi's minutes. The former Barcelona forward scored twice Wednesday to help his side turn a two-goal aggregate deficit in its CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal against Los Angeles FC into a 3-2 victory. He played the penultimate pass for Inter Miami's other goal.
Inter Miami take on the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Champions Cup semifinals later in April.
Messi also continues to be a key figure for Argentina after winning the 2022 World Cup and two Copa Americas (2021 and 2024) with his country. He was absent from Argentina's World Cup qualifying wins over Uruguay and Brazil in March due to a groin injury but weighed in six goals and five assists over 11 appearances in 2024. He holds the men's team's records for caps (191) and goals (112).
He's set to be a star attraction at the Club World Cup this summer. Before the recent removal of Liga MX's Club Leon due to an ownership issue, Inter Miami were the last outfit invited thanks to their Supporters' Shield success. They are in a group with Portugal's FC Porto, Brazil's Palmeiras, and Egypt's Al Ahly.
Miami will now be joined at the tournament by Club Leon's replacement, which could the winner of a mooted playoff game between Mexican giants Club America and MLS side LAFC.