Lionel Messi has officially agreed to extend his contract with Inter Miami, keeping the Argentine legend in Major League Soccer until the end of the 2028 season, the club announced on Thursday.
The announcement came via Inter Miami’s official X feed, which posted a video of Messi signing the new deal at a table inside the under-construction Freedom Park stadium, accompanied by the simple caption: “He’s Home.”
“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, 38, said in a statement released by the club.
“Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here,” he added.
Club co-owner David Beckham praised Messi’s renewed commitment, describing it as a testament to his passion for the sport and the city.
“He’s still as committed as he’s ever been and he still wants to win,” Beckham said. “As owners to have a player that loves the game as much as he does and who has done as much for the game in this country and to inspire the next generation of young talent as he has, we feel very lucky.”
Messi’s previous contract was due to expire at the end of the 2025 MLS season, but the new agreement ensures his continued presence well beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The 2026 tournament begins on June 11 and concludes on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 following an underwhelming spell at Paris Saint-Germain. His illustrious career began at Barcelona, where he rose through the youth ranks and played from 2004 to 2021, winning ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies.
In 2022, Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar and later added another Copa America title in 2024, marking his second continental triumph after the 2021 victory. With 114 international goals, he remains Argentina’s all-time top scorer.
Now 38, Messi could feature in a record sixth World Cup next year, potentially sharing the milestone with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo. He is just three goals shy of Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals.
Argentina comfortably topped the South American qualifiers, with Messi finishing as the leading scorer with eight goals. His stellar form carried into MLS, where he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player for 2024 despite Inter Miami’s playoff exit.
In 2025, he became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 40 goals. This season, Messi has once again been instrumental, guiding Inter Miami to a third-place finish in the Eastern Conference and securing a return to the playoffs.
He closed the regular season with a remarkable hat-trick in a 5-2 win over Nashville SC, ending the campaign with 29 goals in 28 matches to clinch the MLS Golden Boot award.
What you should know
Lionel Messi’s contract extension with Inter Miami reaffirms his deep connection to the club and his determination to continue shaping the growth of soccer in the United States.
With his stay secured until 2028, the World Cup-winning captain is poised to remain the face of MLS while leading Inter Miami into a new era at their soon-to-be-completed Freedom Park stadium.
His incredible consistency, record-breaking feats, and global influence continue to redefine what it means to be a football icon.
