Messi near MLS extension with Inter Miami as 2026 World Cup looms

Lionel Messi is nearing a contract extension with Inter Miami, a development that would keep the World Cup winner in Major League Soccer beyond this season, according to ESPN and other outlets. The multi-year deal, if finalized, would extend Messi's stay with the Herons well into the 2020s and likely beyond, sources said Wednesday.

Messi's arrival in July 2023 transformed MLS, lifting attendance, sponsorships and the league's profile as the United States prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup. He helped Inter Miami win the 2023 Leagues Cup and contributed to the team's record-setting points total in 2024. This season, Messi leads Miami with 28 goals and is the second-leading scorer in MLS with 20 regular-season goals, behind Nashville SC's Sam Surridge.

Inter Miami sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings, nine points clear of the playoff line. The latest extension talks come amid chatter that Messi might consider a move back to Europe or to Argentina once his contract ends, but a finalized deal would keep him in the United States for the foreseeable future and among the premier platforms ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

If extended, Messi could effectively spend the remainder of his prime in MLS; at the time the contract would end, he would be well past 40 years old. While the likelihood of retirement on current terms remains speculative, the extension would align with the club's plan to maximize the star's impact while the league continues its rapid growth.

Messi's continued presence is seen as central to Inter Miami's strategy as MLS seeks to capitalize on the 2026 World Cup momentum. The league has credited his influence with boosting competitive standards, on-field performance, and international interest, helping to solidify the U.S. as a focal point for global soccer in the lead-up to the World Cup.