Messi, Inter Miami Agree to Extend Contract Beyond 2026
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have reached an agreement to extend the Argentine legend’s contract, ensuring his presence in Major League Soccer (MLS) well past the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a source close to the deal confirmed on Wednesday.
The extension will keep the 38-year-old forward active through and after the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. An official announcement is expected within the next two weeks, according to AFP.
Messi, widely regarded as one of football’s greatest players, joined Inter Miami in 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. His most memorable years, however, were spent at Barcelona, where he rose from the youth academy to win 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies between 2004 and 2021.
He also led Argentina to World Cup triumph in Qatar in 2022, a career-defining moment. The World Cup-winning captain has since expressed his ambition to help Argentina defend the title in 2026.
Since arriving in MLS, Messi has continued to make history. He was crowned MLS Most Valuable Player in 2024 despite Miami’s early playoff exit and became the fastest player to score 40 goals in MLS in 2025.
With this extension, Messi is expected to close out his legendary career in the United States, solidifying MLS as the final stage of his remarkable journey.
