Lionel Messi could remain in pink and black for the near future. The Athletic’s David Ornstein is reporting that Messi is close to agreeing to a contract extension with Inter Miami CF.
Could Lionel Messi’s potential re-signing with Inter Miami mean he could play in the 2026 World Cup?
The reports are that a contract extension is close, and it could also mean he appears in the 2026 World Cup.
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The 37-year-old Messi, who arrived at Inter Miami in July 2023, will see his current contract expire at the end of this year. The team has been working hard to extend his time in South Florida in an effort to have Messi lead the club into their new stadium, Miami Freedom Park, next season.
Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas told FDP Radio Miami that negotations are progressing and he hopes that it will end with Messi agreeing to extend his time with the club. “My hope has always been — and everything we’re doing — is to see Messi play at our new stadium in 2026. Hopefully, that happens,” he told FDP Radio Miami.
Lionel Messi staying with Inter Miami would be an enormous boost to Major League Soccer, who is hoping to capitalize on the player many consider to be one of the greatest to ever play the game. It would also mean a great deal to league sponsors, particularly Apple and Adidas, to be able to continue to market Messi’s participation in the league to the world. For Inter Miami, it means their captain could finish out the year with the club at their temporary stadium, Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
The club is expected to move into Miami Freedom Park, their new stadium that is a stone’s throw from Miami International Airport and will seat 25,000 people, in time for the start of the 2026 season, and having Lionel Messi on the team will be the biggest boost to ticket sales.
FIFA also hopes that a contract extension means that Messi’s time with the Argentina national team is not done either. The 2026 World Cup - which begins next June in the United States, Canada, and Mexico - includes matches in Miami, and having Messi play in the World Cup would be a terrific opportunity to showcase the league. Signing an extension with Inter Miami would signal to many that he will play in the World Cup next summer.
While many are increasingly confident that the deal for a contract extension will get done, work still remains to come to terms. As Messi’s initial contract terms included a lot of various revenue sharing and salary contributions from the other teams in MLS, there is likely a lot of details to navigate before he puts pen to paper. However, the thought of Messi continuing his time in MLS surely has the league, Inter Miami, and soccer fans excited.
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