Lionel Messi has signed a new three-year contract with Inter Miami, keeping him in Major League Soccer until 2028 — a deal that is expected to mark the final chapter of his illustrious playing career.
The announcement came on the eve of Miami’s playoff opener against Nashville, with Messi’s side — seeded third in the Eastern Conference — set to host the first leg of their best-of-three series on Friday night.
Messi, now 38, expressed his delight at continuing in Florida. “I’m very happy to stay here and keep building this project that began as a dream and has become a beautiful reality,” he said. “Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve felt at home, and I’m glad to carry on here.”
The Argentine star joined Inter Miami in July 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain and has since transformed both the club and the league. Last season’s MLS Most Valuable Player, Messi is widely expected to retain the award, which would make him only the second player in history to win it twice and the first to do so in consecutive years — following Preki’s wins in 1997 and 2003.
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano praised his compatriot’s impact, saying: “To watch him enjoy his football again is special. He’s incredibly competitive and always tries to inspire the team. The key is to make sure he’s comfortable on the pitch — when that happens, success usually follows.”
Messi’s statistics this season underline his dominance. He claimed the 2025 MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals — five more than LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and Nashville’s Sam Surridge — and added 19 assists. His 48 goal contributions were just one short of Carlos Vela’s all-time MLS record of 49 from 2019.
He also became the first player in league history to score multiple goals in five consecutive matches and the first to record 10 multi-goal games in a single season.
Since his arrival, Messi has scored 71 goals and provided 27 assists in 82 appearances, leading the Herons to two trophies — the Leagues Cup and the Supporters’ Shield.
Having spent most of his professional life with Barcelona, where he made his senior debut in 2004 and won every major honour, Messi’s final act now looks set to unfold in Miami, the city where he has rediscovered both joy and success.
