Lionel Messi asks Inter Miami to sign two La Liga stars

Cameron Smith

• 16 Dec 2025 06:30 CST
• 3 min read

Nieuws

Lionel Messi has reportedly asked Inter Miami to complete the signings of Atletico Madrid duo Antoine Griezmann and Koke next year.

The Argentina legend recently signed a new three-year deal with the MLS side and despite rumours of a return to Europe ahead of next summer’s World Cup, he is now expected to remain at Inter Miami until the end of his contract in 2028.

However, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets both opted to retire following the conclusion of the 2025 MLS season, while speculation suggests that Luis Suarez could follow suit, with the Uruguay star now a free agent after his contract expired at the end of the campaign.

In response, Inter Miami have already announced the signing of Tottenham Hotspur left-back Sergio Reguilon as a replacement for Alba, and Messi is now eager for the club to land Koke and Griezmann to fill the voids left by Busquets and Suarez, if he decides against signing a new deal.

That is according to a report from Spanish publication Fichajes, who claim that Messi has told Inter Miami officials to sign a new central midfielder and a new forward in 2026 - with Koke and Griezmann identified as his two priority targets.

Lionel Messi targets Atletico Madrid double deal

Messi reportedly believes that both Koke and Griezmann would be sensible additions for Inter Miami and he has now conveyed his desire to finalise deals for the pair.

The former is into the final six months of his current contract at Atletico Madrid, and has been tipped to depart next summer, while the latter’s deal is due to expire in 2027.

However, Griezmann has been heavily linked with a move to the MLS for several months and considering he has only started five La Liga matches so far this season, an exit could feasibly be on the cards next year.

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