Lionel Messi signs new contract until 2028 with Inter Miami

Suraj Radia

• 23 Oct 2025 10:51 CDT
• 3 min read

News

Lionel Messi has signed a new contract at Inter Miami, keeping the World Cup winner at the MLS side until December 2028.

The 38-year-old initially joined Inter Miami in 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain and his previous deal was set to expire at the end of December, prompting speculation of moves away including a spectacular return to Barcelona.

However, Messi was always expected to extend his stay in Miami after continuing to break attendance records across the MLS with his presence as well as the finances of his deal.

The deal was confirmed via Inter Miami on social media with a video showing Messi penning his deal in the construction of the team’s new stadium, which is expected to be completed next year.

Messi’s side are set to move to the 25,000-seater Miami Freedom Park for the start of the 2026 season, having been named the second-most valuable franchise in the MLS by Forbes with a valuation of around $1.2 billion (€1.03bn.)

While financial details of Messi’s new deal have yet to be released, the forward’s new contract should close the gap on rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who was named football’s first billionaire earlier this month.

Messi hoping to continue MLS dominance after new Inter Miami contract

Messi has dominated the MLS since his arrival, winning the league’s 2024 MVP award and the 2025 Golden Boot after recording 29 goals in just 28 appearances.

Inter Miami also won the inaugural Leagues Cup trophy in 2023 as well as the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, while also setting the MLS record for the most points in a single season.

Messi has also been nominated for the 2025 MVP award and would become the first player to win the honour in successive years if he is chosen to lift the award.

Inter Miami are now hoping to win their first ever MLS Cup, starting with their Round One playoff series against Nashville SC, which begins on Friday.

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