Inter Miami and Lionel Messi have reached an agreement to extend the Argentine superstar’s contract, keeping him in Major League Soccer beyond next year’s World Cup.
The new deal means the 38-year-old will continue playing in the MLS through the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. An official announcement is expected within the next two weeks. The extension all but confirms that Messi will finish his career in the United States.
Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 after a difficult spell at Paris Saint-Germain, following nearly two decades at Barcelona, where he became a legend. At Barça, he won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies, cementing his place as one of the greatest players in football history.
In 2022, Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar. He has openly expressed his desire to defend the title in 2026, and the new contract ensures he will remain in top-level competition leading up to the tournament.
Since arriving in the MLS, Messi has continued to break records. He was named league MVP in 2024 and, in 2025, became the fastest player in MLS history to score 40 goals.
