MIAMI (BN24) — Lionel Messi is set to continue his career in Major League Soccer beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup after reaching an agreement with Inter Miami to extend his contract, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. The deal, which is expected to be formally announced within the next two weeks, ensures the Argentine icon will remain with the Florida-based club well into the latter stages of his historic football journey.
The extension will see the 38-year-old forward stay active in competitive football beyond next year’s World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, a tournament Messi has publicly said he hopes to compete in as part of Argentina’s title defense.
Messi’s move to Inter Miami in 2023 marked a transformative moment for soccer in the U.S. After a difficult spell at Paris Saint-Germain, the former Barcelona captain chose Miami as the next chapter of a career that has already spanned over two decades and earned him every major title in the sport.
Since joining MLS, Messi has made a significant impact both on and off the field. In 2024, he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. In 2025, he became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 40 goals, an achievement that has fueled a surge in attendance, merchandise sales, and global attention for Inter Miami and the league.
The contract extension is a strategic victory for Inter Miami, which has positioned itself as the center of gravity in U.S. soccer by building around Messi’s global stature. Club officials view the agreement not only as a sporting investment but also as a commitment to expanding the game’s reach across North America, particularly in the buildup to the 2026 World Cup.
Messi’s presence in MLS continues to elevate the league’s profile on the world stage, attracting international media coverage and drawing new fans to the sport. With this new deal, Inter Miami is not just securing the services of one of football’s greatest players but also reinforcing its ambition to become a long-term powerhouse in American soccer.
The extension also likely signals that Messi intends to close out his playing career in the United States, providing MLS fans with a rare chance to witness the final chapters of a storied career that has included 10 La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions League trophies, seven Ballon d’Or awards, and, perhaps most memorably Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar in 2022.
As anticipation builds for the official announcement, Inter Miami’s decision to double down on Messi affirms its belief in the transformative power of the sport’s biggest stars — and the enduring appeal of one of its greatest.
