Lionel Messi is ready to continue soaking up the sun in South Beach.
Leading soccer reporter David Ornstein of The Athletic reported Friday that the soccer legend is nearing agreement on a contract extension with his MLS club, Inter Miami. Messi’s deal was initially set to expire at the end of 2025, but the new extension is expected to see him lead Inter Miami into their new stadium, Miami Freedom Park, which opens in 2026.
2026 is also notable because it will be the year the United States (Mexico and Canada) hosts the World Cup. Messi’s home country of Argentina is the defending champion, but it remains uncertain if Messi will suit up for the 2026 World Cup (the sixth of his career).
Now 37 years old, Messi first signed with Inter Miami, the club owned by David Beckham, in July 2023. Since Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami has won multiple trophies, including the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield. Messi has also been joined by well-known former FC Barcelona teammates in Miami, such as Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Another one of Messi’s former Barcelona teammates, Javier Mascherano, is now his head coach at Inter Miami.
The details of Messi’s new extension have yet to be finalized. But we know that under his current contract with Inter Miami, Messi is making around $20 million a year (plus tens of millions more via his partial equity in Inter Miami and extra compensation in his contract from MLS partners such as Apple TV, Adidas, and Fanatics).
Even at his age, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner continues to produce his fair share of vintage “Messi Magic” moments. Now Inter Miami can look forward to more of those for at least another year.
