Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi renewed his contract with Inter Miami on Thursday and will remain with continue playing for the MLS team until December 2028. The decision comes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and speculation surrounding Messi and when he might put an end to his career with the Argentine national team.
The announcement was made via Inter Miami’s social media with a video of Messi signing his contract at the under-construction Miami Freedom Park Stadium, which is set to open in 2026. Messi’s contract was due to end in December.
“It makes me really happy to stay here and to continue with this project that, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality,” Messi said in a statement. “Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here.”
Messi’s renewal means that he intends to continue playing football at a professional level for three more years, although he has yet to confirm if he intends to continue playing with the Argentine national team. In case he decides to compete in next year’s world cup, he would become the first player in history to have played at six of them (he’s been present at the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022 tournaments).
“He’s home,” the club wrote in their post. The video ends with the phrase “Freedom 10 dream,” showcasing the importance of Messi for Inter Miami.
In a statement announcing the deal, Inter Miami CF Managing Owner Jorge Mas said that Messi’s decision “is an ode” to Miami. Co-Owner David Beckham added that their “vision was to bring the best players to Inter Miami.” He went on to say that Messi “is still as committed as he’s ever been and he still wants to win.”
Messi played the bulk of his career (2004-2021) at Barcelona FC. He became one of the most important players in Barcelona history, turning into a major star and breaking several records. He was forced to leave in 2021 as the club could not find a financial path to retain his services. He moved to Paris Saint Germain and remained there until 2023, when he signed with Inter Miami in a surprising move.
Messi’s arrival led to Inter Miami winning its first two trophies in 2023 and 2024 and helped initiate an era of successes for the club. Messi’s fellow Argentine national team member and friend Rodrigo De Paul also joined the club in July.
