Football star Lionel Messi and Major League Soccer's Inter Miami have sealed a deal to extend Messi's contract past 2026.
Lionel Messi Extends Stay in MLS with Inter Miami Beyond 2026 World Cup
In a significant move for Major League Soccer (MLS), star player Lionel Messi has agreed to a contract extension with Inter Miami that will keep him in the league beyond the 2026 World Cup.
Messi, who is three goals short of Miroslav Klose's record of 16 career World Cup goals, has expressed a desire to defend the World Cup title he won in 2022. With the 2026 World Cup set to be hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, Messi could potentially play at a sixth World Cup next year, setting a new all-time record.
The Argentine superstar, who was named the MLS Most Valuable Player in the 2024 season, joined Inter Miami in 2023 after a stint at Paris Saint-Germain. His impact at the club has been immediate, as he led them to the final of the Leagues Cup earlier this month, where they were unfortunately defeated 3-0 by Seattle Sounders.
Inter Miami currently sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, well-positioned to qualify for the play-offs. The team also has multiple games in hand on most of their rivals due to their participation in the Club World Cup, where they were thrashed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16.
Before joining Inter Miami, Messi spent a significant part of his career at Barcelona, where he won the La Liga title 10 times and the UEFA Champions League four times. His move to MLS marked a new chapter in his illustrious career, and he has not disappointed, scoring 40 goals in MLS in record time in 2025.
Messi has also been a key player for Argentina on the international stage, scoring 114 international goals and winning the Copa America twice, in 2021 and 2024. Argentina has comfortably qualified for the 2026 World Cup, finishing nine points clear at the top of the South American qualifying table.
An official announcement about the contract extension is expected within the next two weeks. With Messi's continued brilliance on the field and his undeniable impact on the game, fans of Inter Miami and MLS can look forward to more exciting moments from the legendary player.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
