Lionel Messi has signed a new contract with Inter Miami, extending his stay in Major League Soccer until the end of the 2028 season
Lionel Messi has agreed to extend his contract with Inter Miami, committing his future to Major League Soccer until the end of the 2028 season, the club confirmed on Thursday.
Also read: Lionel Messi Inter Miami contract extended beyond 2026
In a short post on its X handle, Inter Miami shared a video of Messi signing the deal while seated at a table in the middle of 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,” Lionel Messi said in a club statement.
Messi added that he had found happiness and stability since moving to the United States.
“Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here,” he said.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham described Messi’s decision to extend his contract as a testament to his enduring commitment to the club, the city, and 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 so much for the game in this country, we feel very lucky.”
Messi’s current deal was set to expire at the end of the 2025 season, but a new agreement was long expected after club sources confirmed talks were in advanced stages last month.
The extension means the World Cup-winning captain will remain active through the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico — a tournament where Messi could feature in a record sixth appearance.
Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 following a brief, challenging stint at Paris Saint-Germain, ending an illustrious era at Barcelona, where he spent 17 years, winning 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies.
The Argentine icon has since rekindled his brilliance in MLS, earning the 2024 Most Valuable Player award and becoming the fastest player in league history to reach 40 goals.
In the current campaign, Messi guided Miami to a third-place finish in the Eastern Conference and capped the regular season with a sensational hat-trick in a 5-2 victory over Nashville SC, clinching the Golden Boot with 29 goals in 28 matches.
Internationally, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains Argentina’s all-time top scorer with 114 goals and has lifted the Copa América twice and the World Cup in 2022.
Also read: Messi MLS exit rumours intensify after Club World Cup humiliation, contract delay
With his new deal, Messi’s influence on and off the pitch is set to continue shaping the American football landscape for years to come.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
