Lionel Messi has officially signed a new contract with Inter Miami, extending his stay with the Major League Soccer club through the 2028 season, the team announced on Thursday.
The Argentine icon was shown in a video posted on Inter Miami’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, signing the new deal at the club’s under-construction Freedom Park Stadium — with the caption simply reading, “He’s Home.”
“It makes me really happy to stay here and continue with this project that has become a beautiful reality — playing at Miami Freedom Park,” said the 38-year-old World Cup winner in a club statement.
“Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here.”
Messi’s new contract extends beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico — ensuring that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains in top-level football through the tournament and beyond.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham described Messi’s commitment as a powerful statement about his passion for the sport and the club’s vision.
“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 deal was set to expire at the end of the 2025 MLS season, but an extension had long been expected after sources confirmed last month that both parties had reached a verbal agreement.
Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi has transformed the club’s fortunes — both on and off the pitch. He led the team to its first Leagues Cup title and was named MLS Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2024, despite their early playoff exit.
In 2025, he became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 40 goals, and this season, he fired Inter Miami back into the playoffs, finishing the campaign as Golden Boot winner with 29 goals in 28 matches.
Messi’s arrival has also boosted Major League Soccer’s global profile, driving record ticket sales, broadcast ratings, and international visibility.
The extension means Messi will continue his career deep into his 40s — a remarkable feat for a player who has already rewritten football history.
Before moving to the United States, Messi spent 17 years at Barcelona, where he won 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies. He later joined Paris Saint-Germain before making the switch to Miami.
On the international stage, he led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 and back-to-back Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, scoring 114 international goals to date.
Should he appear at the 2026 World Cup, Messi will become the first player to feature in six editions of the tournament — potentially matching long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
With his latest contract, Inter Miami have ensured that the world’s most celebrated footballer continues to wear pink until at least 2028, anchoring a project that has already reshaped American soccer’s global narrative.
