 "Lionel Messi joined the American football club in 2023 after a two-year stint in France. Image: AP")
Argentine legend Lionel Messi is all set to sign a new multi-year contract with Inter Miami, which is expected to be his last one before retirement from football. According to ESPN, only a few small details are left to be agreed upon, following which the contract will be sent to Major League Soccer (MLS) for final approval.
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas had previously said that they would do everything in their power to ensure Messi signs the contract renewal and finishes off his career in MLS.
“I previously said that my wish, my dream would be for the number 10 to inaugurate our new stadium in March. This is a decision that rests on Messi. We wish for Messi to finish his career here. I said a few months ago that we should have news in the summer about that but hopefully it will be as soon as possible,” Mas told ESPN.
Messi set to retire at Inter Maimi
Messi, who joined Miami in 2023, has a contract that ends with the conclusion of the 2025 MLS season. Messi will now reportedly be signing a new two-year contract, which will keep him at the club till 2027, said a report in USA Today. Post 2027, Messi is expected to join Jorge Mas, Jose Mas, and David Beckham as the co-owner of the club.
Messi agreed to be a co-owner of Inter Miami when he signed the initial contract two years ago. He will be 40 by the time his new contract ends in 2027.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi inspired Inter to the 2023 Leagues Cup title after joining the club in July that year. He is also Miami’s all-time leading goal-scorer with 62 goals, and also leads the assists record with 29 of them. Miami made their MLS debut in 2020.
In 2024, he inspired Miami to their best regular season in MLS while being named the MVP. However, 2025 has been very challenging for them as the club has lost out on trophies in three tournaments.
They lost in the semi-finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup, the Round of 16 in the FIFA Club World Cup, and in the final of the 2025 Leagues Cup.