Lionel Messi signs contract extension with Inter Miami, extending his stay past 2026, according to sources.
In a significant turn of events, Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi has signed a contract extension with MLS side Inter Miami, keeping him in competitive action until and beyond the 2026 World Cup.
Messi's new deal comes after an impressive stint with Inter Miami, where he has already claimed the MLS Cup (the league championship) in 2023. The exact number of championships Messi has won with Inter Miami stands at one so far.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has been in top form for the Florida-based club, earning the MLS Most Valuable Player award in the 2024 season. He has also become the fastest player to reach 40 goals in MLS history in 2025.
On the international front, Messi led Argentina to a historic victory in the 2022 World Cup. His outstanding performance in the qualifiers saw him finish as the top scorer, with eight goals, including a brace in his last competitive match on home soil against Venezuela.
Messi is now just three goals short of Miroslav Klose's record of 16 career World Cup goals. If he manages to score these goals at the 2023 World Cup, he will set a new all-time record. However, he could be matched by Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who is just one goal behind.
Inter Miami, currently in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, are well-positioned to qualify for the play-offs, with multiple games in hand on most of their rivals due to their participation in the Club World Cup. Despite a 4-0 defeat in the last 16 of the Club World Cup by Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami remain optimistic about their prospects.
The official announcement regarding Messi's contract extension is expected within the next two weeks. This extension will ensure that the 35-year-old legend will be available for Argentina's campaign in the 2023 World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament is set to start on June 11, with the final being played at the MetLife Stadium on July 19.
Messi's illustrious career began at Barcelona, where he spent a significant part of his career, winning the La Liga title 10 times and the UEFA Champions League trophy four times. Before joining Inter Miami, he had an unsatisfactory stint at Paris Saint-Germain.
With this contract extension, Messi will continue to write his name in the annals of football history, aiming to lead Argentina to another World Cup victory and potentially break the World Cup goal-scoring record.
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
