Lionel Messi on the verge of extending his stay at Inter Miami: Reports

Major League Soccer club Inter Miami has hinted at the contract extension of their marquee signing, Lionel Messi. Messi's presence is very crucial for the overall popularity of MLS and its mass appeal.

Inter Miami endured another heartbreaking defeat to Orlando City by a scoreline of 3-0 in their last fixture. Lionel Messi's side is currently enduring a losing streak this season having lost the last two matches.

Messi is important for MLS

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner switched to the Herons in the United States from his French club, Paris Saint-Germain, back in 2023. Messi joined the Herons as the captain of the FIFA World Cup champions, Argentina. He put pen to paper in a two-and-a-half-year deal at the Chase Stadium.

Since joining the Herons, Messi has not only uplifted the bottom-placed team but also changed the landscape of Major League Soccer. He helped his side win the Supporters' Shield and the League Cup in 2024 and 2023, respectively. He also stands as the highest goal scorer for Inter Miami. He broke the record of Luis Campana in just one and a half seasons. Messi has so far netted 44 goals for the Herons in 55 appearances.

The current agreement is set to conclude at the end of the 2025 campaign; however, there is a clause that can be activated to extend his stay in South Florida for an additional 12 months. Inter Miami has consistently expressed its confidence in retaining Messi for the 2026 season, ensuring his presence through the next World Cup finals.

Inter Miami has already confirmed the contract extension of Messi's teammate, Jordi Alba. Messi's contract extension details may soon come to the forefront once both parties make official announcements.

“To sign Jordi for the next two years is important to show stability, and hopefully, in a few weeks we can have some news about Leo. I think it will be very, very important for the club, the fans, and for MLS.” said Javier Mascherano.