MESSI EXTENDS INTER MIAMI CONTRACT UNTIL 2028, PROMISING TO ‘KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE’
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Agency Report
Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has signed a contract extension with Inter Miami, keeping him at the Major League Soccer (MLS) club until the end of the 2028 season, the club confirmed on Thursday.
Inter Miami announced the news in a post on its X (formerly Twitter) handle, sharing a video of Messi signing the new deal at a table inside the club’s under-construction Freedom Park Stadium, accompanied by the 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 the club’s statement.
“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 described the extension as a reflection of Messi’s enduring passion and commitment to the sport.
“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 inspired the next generation of young talent, we feel very lucky.”
Messi’s current deal was set to expire at the end of the 2025 MLS season, but a new agreement had long been expected. Club sources had hinted last month that both parties had reached terms on an extension.
The new contract means Messi will remain active through and beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 after a difficult stint with Paris Saint-Germain, following a legendary 17-year spell at Barcelona, where he won 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies.
He led Argentina to their long-awaited World Cup triumph in Qatar (2022), as well as back-to-back Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 114 goals for Argentina and remains three goals shy of Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals.
Now 38, Messi could make history by featuring in a sixth World Cup, potentially matching his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Since arriving in the United States, Messi has transformed Inter Miami’s fortunes — winning the 2024 MLS Most Valuable Player award, becoming the fastest player to reach 40 goals in MLS history, and guiding Miami to a top-three finish in the Eastern Conference this season.
He capped off the 2025 regular season in style with a hat-trick in a 5-2 victory over Nashville SC, securing the Golden Boot with 29 goals in 28 matches.
With his contract extension, Messi reaffirmed his long-term commitment to Inter Miami’s vision — both as a player and as a global ambassador for the sport in the United States.
AFP
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