Lionel Messi, the MLS Golden Boot winner, has signed a contract extension with Inter Miami, committing to the club through the 2028 season. The announcement, made on Thursday, ends months of speculation about the 38-year-old’s future, especially following the retirements of his longtime teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. By extending his contract, Messi will play through his age 41 season, with the upcoming Miami Freedom Park stadium serving as a key motivator in his decision.
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The new state-of-the-art stadium, still under construction, was the backdrop for the announcement. Messi expressed his excitement, stating, “We’re all really excited about the moment when we can finally play at Miami Freedom Park. We can’t wait for it to be finished—to experience it from the inside, in our new home, and for the fans to enjoy it as well. It’s going to be something very special to play at home in such a spectacular stadium.”
Inter Miami’s managing owner, Jorge Mas, emphasized that retaining Messi aligns with the club’s vision to build an iconic franchise. “We promised our fans that we would dream big to build an iconic club. A club that represents the passion, hard work, and dedication of all those that came before us to create a Miami built on dreams. Leo signing through 2028 is an ode to our amazing city,” Mas said. Club president and co-owner David Beckham echoed this sentiment, noting that Messi’s extension fulfills their commitment to bringing the best to Inter Miami.
Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi has transformed the team, leading them to the Leagues Cup title that summer and a record-setting Supporters’ Shield in 2024. This season, he topped the MLS with 29 goals and tied for the most assists with 19, narrowly missing Carlos Vela’s single-season goal contribution record. Off the pitch, Messi’s presence has significantly boosted MLS viewership and interest, cementing his impact on the league.
“It makes me really happy to stay here and to continue with this project that, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality—playing in this stadium, at Miami Freedom Park. Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here,” Messi said.
Messi’s 2025 season was historic, as he led Inter Miami to 81 goals, making them only the third team in MLS history to surpass the 80-goal mark. Should he win the Landon Donovan MVP award again, he would become the first player to claim the honor in consecutive seasons and only the second to win it twice, following Predrag Radosavljević.
With Inter Miami favored to compete for the MLS Cup, Messi is eyeing the one major trophy that has eluded the team. Despite their record-breaking 2024 regular season, Miami suffered a first-round playoff exit to Atlanta United. After falling short in the Leagues Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and Concacaf Champions Cup in 2025, the MLS Cup remains the ultimate prize. Winning it could mark the beginning of a new era for Inter Miami, with Messi leading the charge at Miami Freedom Park for the next three seasons.