Fort Lauderdale, Florida – October 23, 2025 – In a move that solidifies his long-term commitment to Major League Soccer (MLS) and the city of Miami, Lionel Messi has officially signed a contract extension with Inter Miami CF that will keep the Argentine superstar with the club until the end of the 2028 season. The announcement was made by the club on Thursday, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing transformation of Inter Miami into a global soccer powerhouse.
The contract extension was revealed through a cinematic video posted on Inter Miami’s official X account. In the clip, Messi, dressed in a sleek black suit, is seen signing the new deal at a table inside the under-construction Miami Freedom Park stadium – the club’s future 25,000-seat home set to open in 2026. The post was accompanied by a simple yet powerful caption: “He’s Home.”
Speaking in a statement released by the club, the 38-year-old Messi expressed his enthusiasm for the extension. “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,” he said. “Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here.”
Messi’s decision to extend his stay comes as no surprise to those following the club’s trajectory. His previous contract, signed upon his arrival in July 2023, was set to expire at the conclusion of the 2025 MLS season. However, club sources confirmed last month that a renewal agreement was already in place, with negotiations described as smooth and mutually beneficial.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham, the former England captain and global soccer icon, hailed the extension as a landmark moment for the franchise. “This is a testament to his commitment to the city, to the club, to the game,” Beckham said. “He’s still as committed as he’s ever been and he still wants to win. 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.”
Beckham’s words underscore the broader impact Messi has had since joining MLS. His arrival in 2023 sent shockwaves through American soccer, drawing record crowds, boosting television ratings, and elevating the league’s international profile. Inter Miami’s season-ticket waiting list ballooned, merchandise sales skyrocketed, and the club’s valuation soared past $1 billion – a remarkable feat for a franchise that was struggling in the standings just two years prior.
The new contract ensures that Messi will remain a central figure in MLS well beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament, expanded to 48 teams, will kick off on June 11, 2026, and conclude with the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19. For Messi, the World Cup represents an opportunity to add to his already legendary career. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner could become the first player in history to appear in six World Cups, potentially sharing the stage one final time with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has also expressed interest in playing into his 40s.
Messi’s international resume is unparalleled. With 114 goals for Argentina, he is the country’s all-time leading scorer. He led La Albiceleste to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar – scoring twice in the final against France – and followed that with back-to-back Copa América victories in 2021 and 2024. Currently, he sits just three goals shy of German legend Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 career World Cup goals. In the ongoing South American qualifiers for the 2026 tournament, Messi has been in scintillating form, finishing as the top scorer with eight goals and guiding Argentina to the top of the CONMEBOL standings.
Before arriving in Miami, Messi’s career arc was the stuff of soccer folklore. A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, he spent nearly two decades with.
with the Catalan giants, winning 10 La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions League trophies, and seven Copa del Rey crowns. His departure from Barcelona in 2021 – forced by the club’s financial crisis – led to a brief and tumultuous two-year stint at Paris Saint-Germain, where he won two Ligue 1 titles but struggled to replicate his Barcelona dominance amid injuries and adaptation challenges.
Since joining Inter Miami, however, Messi has thrived in a way few predicted. In his debut 2023 season, he led the Herons to their first-ever trophy by winning the Leagues Cup, scoring 10 goals in seven matches. Despite limited appearances due to injury, his impact was immediate and profound.
The 2024 season saw Messi at his imperious best. Named MLS Most Valuable Player, he recorded 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 regular-season matches, propelling Inter Miami to the Supporters’ Shield as the league’s top regular-season team. Though the club suffered a first-round playoff exit to Atlanta United, Messi’s individual brilliance was undeniable.
In 2025, Messi shattered records at an astonishing pace. He became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 40 career goals, achieving the milestone in just 47 appearances across all competitions. This season, he guided Inter Miami to a third-place finish in the Eastern Conference, capping the campaign with a stunning hat-trick in a 5–2 victory over Nashville SC. The performance secured the MLS Golden Boot for Messi with 29 goals in 28 matches – a scoring rate of over a goal per game.
Beyond the statistics, Messi’s presence has reshaped the soccer landscape in South Florida. Attendance at Chase Stadium (soon to be replaced by Miami Freedom Park) averaged over 21,000 fans per match in 2025 – a league high. Youth academies across the region report a surge in enrollment, with thousands of children citing Messi as their inspiration. Local businesses, from restaurants to hotels, have seen a “Messi effect” boost in tourism, particularly from Latin America and Europe.
The Miami Freedom Park project itself has become a symbol of the club’s ambition. Located on the site of the former Melreese Country Club near Miami International Airport, the $1 billion development will include not only the state-of-the-art stadium but also a 58-acre public park, retail spaces, a hotel, and office buildings. Construction began in 2024, and the venue is on track for a 2026 opening – perfectly timed for Messi’s prime years in pink and black.
For MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Messi’s extension is a watershed moment for the league’s global ambitions. “Lionel Messi choosing to spend the peak of his career in MLS speaks volumes about the growth of soccer in this country,” Garber said in a statement. “His commitment ensures that the best player in the world will continue to elevate our league for years to come.”
Looking ahead, Inter Miami’s goals are clear: win the MLS Cup, dominate CONCACAF competitions, and establish themselves as a perennial contender. With Messi leading a talented roster that includes former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez, the club is well-positioned to achieve those aims.
As the sun sets on another landmark day in South Florida, one thing is certain: Lionel Messi is not just passing through Miami – he is building a legacy that will endure long after his playing days are over. For a city that has embraced him as one of its own, the message is clear: He’s home. And he’s staying.
