Lionel Messi – the 38-year-old Argentine World Cup champion and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner – just delivered one of the best seasons in Major League Soccer history and is expected to win his second consecutive league MVP award in 2025.
And he’s coming back for more.
Messi has signed a three-year extension to remain with Inter Miami through 2028. Inter Miami announced the deal on Thursday, Oct. 23, with a social media video of Messi signing his contract inside the club’s new stadium, Miami Freedom Park, set to open in 2026.
“It makes me really happy to stay here and to continue with this project that, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality. Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here,” Messi said in a statement.
“We’re all really excited about the moment when we can finally play at Miami Freedom Park. We can’t wait for it to be finished – to experience it from the inside, in our new home, and for the fans to enjoy it as well. It’s going to be something very special to play at home in such a spectacular stadium.”
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said Messi is ‘still as committed as he’s ever been, and he still wants to win … 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.’
Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas added: ‘Leo signing through 2028 is an ode to our amazing city. We very much look forward to writing new chapters at our stadium at Miami Freedom Park. Together, we will continue building and dreaming.’
MLS commissioner Don Garber said Messi’s signing with Inter Miami ‘marked a turning point’ for the sport in North America.
‘Since then, we’ve witnessed something truly historic: The greatest player of all time bringing global attention to our league,’ Garber said. ‘We’re thrilled that Lionel has chosen to stay and continue his career with Inter Miami.’
Messi is still expected to remain the highest-paid player in MLS. He earned $20.445 million annually from Inter Miami and MLS from July 2023 through 2025 in his initial deal, which included joining Jorge Mas, Jose Mas and Beckham as co-owners of Inter Miami upon retirement.
Messi – whose birthday is June 24, 1987 – will turn 39 in 2026, 40 during the 2027 MLS season, and will be 41 years old in 2028. He just completed his 22nd season as a professional, after spending most of his legendary career in Europe with Barcelona (2004-21) and Paris Saint-Germain (2021-23). He could play 25 total seasons if he reaches the end of his contract.
Messi has not yet declared his intentions to play in the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, but said last month that he’s excited and motivated to play in the tournament.
‘I haven’t made a decision about the World Cup. Match by match, I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have preseason, and there will be six months left. So, we’ll see how I feel. Hopefully I’ll have a good preseason in 2026, and finish this MLS season well, and then I’ll decide,’ Messi said after scoring twice for Argentina against Venezuela in his final World Cup qualifier in his home country on Sept. 4.
Messi is Inter Miami’s all-time leader with 71 goals and 36 assists across all competitions, achievements he quickly attained since the club made its MLS debut in 2020.
Messi led Inter Miami to the 2023 Leagues Cup title shortly after his arrival, marking the first title in Inter Miami’s history. He fueled Inter Miami to the best regular season in MLS history, winning the Supporters’ Shield and winning MVP in 2024. However, Inter Miami was eliminated in the first round by Atlanta United in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs.
Messi won the MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals and tied with San Diego’s Anders Dreyer for the league-lead with 19 assists during the 2025 season. His 48 total contributions are one shy of the MLS record set by LAFC’s Carlos Vela in 2019.
Messi could become the first back-to-back MVP in league history if he wins the award. He was named a finalist Thursday, along with LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, San Diego’s Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Cincinnati’s Evander and Nashville’s Sam Surridge.
Messi and Inter Miami will pursue their first MLS Cup during the 2025 postseason. Inter Miami plays its first match in the MLS Cup playoffs against Nashville SC on Friday, Oct. 25. Messi is expected to play despite experiencing some back discomfort this week, coach Javier Mascherano confirmed before Thursday’s practice.
When asked if Messi would be available to play 90 minutes in the playoff opener, Mascherano said confidently: “Yeah, even for more.”
This story will be updated with new information and video.