Lionel Messi agrees new contract extension with Inter Miami through 2028 season, committing future to MLS side
Updated 23/10/2025 at 18:25 GMT+1
Lionel Messi will continue to enthral and delight crowds in Major League Soccer. An agreement has now been reached between Messi's representatives and Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas, with his contract extension announced. Messi, the leading goalscorer in Inter Miami history, will now lead the club into a new stadium next year.
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Lionel Messi has signed a new contract extension with Inter Miami, committing his future to the club until the end of the 2028 MLS season.
The Argentine legend's initial deal with the Florida club expired at the end of 2025, but Messi, 38, has now extended his stay.
Messi will be 41 when the deal expires and although he hasn't committed to playing at next summer's World Cup with Argentina now appears more likely to do so.
"It makes me really happy to stay here and to continue with this project that, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality - playing in this stadium, at Miami Freedom Park," Messi said in the announcement.
"Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here."
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said: "Our vision was to bring the best players to Inter Miami and to this city, and that’s exactly what we have done. We brought the best player to have ever played the game to our city.
"That shows our commitment to Miami, but it also shows Leo’s commitment to the city, to the club, and to the game. He’s still as committed as he’s ever been and he still wants to win."
A deal had been expected for some time, with reports of negotiations in the press for much of the summer, and it comes shortly another ex-Barcelona veteran, Sergio Busquets, announced his intention to retire.
There has also been speculation that Messi and his current team-mate, Luis Suarez, could be reunited with Neymar when his deal with Santos comes to an end. Javier Mascherano, another ex-Barca player and an erstwhile Argentina colleague for Messi, is the team's current head coach.
Inter Miami are aiming to complete the construction of their new Miami Freedom Park stadium in time for the 2026 MLS season, meaning Messi will be present for its inauguration, as the club had long hoped for.
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Inter Miami currently play at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Messi has played 82 games for Miami since his arrival in 2023. The 2025 season represents his best goalscoring numbers for the club, with 37 goals in 43 matches. He has 71 goals overall for the club.
While he has an extensive list of honours with his first club, Barcelona, and two Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain, he has won just the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 Supporters' Shield in the United States.
The club were nevertheless part of 2025's Club World Cup.
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