Lionel Messi has inched closer towards a contract extension with Inter Miami, talkSPORT understands.
The new deal would see Messi remain with the Major League Soccer (MLS) side as they move into their new stadium at Miami Freedom Park in 2026.
Messi’s current deal with Miami was due to expire at the end of 2025.
The Argentinian arrived in Florida as a free agent in July 2023 after he departed Paris Saint-Germain.
News of Messi and Miami nearing an agreement comes after the club’s managing owner Jorge Mas expressed hope the World Cup winner would prolong his stay in the Sunshine State in an interview with FDP Radio Miami.
Mas believed the ‘stars are aligning for something great’ and insisted it would be purely Messi’s call to stay.
“I expect that within 60-90 days we’ll have to determine all of this,” Mas said.
“My hope has always been – and everything we’re doing – is to see Messi play at our new stadium in 2026.
“Hopefully, that happens.”
Since Messi made the switch to Miami, he has registered 42 goals and 21 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions.
The 37-year-old has been in fine touch this season, netting eight times in nine games.
He also played a starring role in Miami’s charge to the MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2024, which secured their spot at the upcoming Club World Cup.
With Messi now set to stay, it is also a massive boost to MLS as a whole, especially given the United States will jointly host the World Cup next year.
It is a tournament Messi will hope to feature in as Argentina look to defend their World Cup crown.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will turn 39 during the group stage of the tournament but remains a key member of the national team.
Messi missed Argentina’s last two World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil with adductor pain but played in all four of the reigning world champions’ fixtures during the October and November international breaks.
Should Messi participate in next year’s tournament, it would mark his sixth appearance at a World Cup.
No player has made it to a sixth World Cup as Messi shares the record of most tournament appearances of five with Mexican trio Antonio Carbajal, Andres Guardado and Rafael Marquez as well as Germany’s Lothar Matthaus and of course, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
AFPMessi is one World Cup away from setting an incredible record[/caption]
Of those players, Messi and Ronaldo are the only ones still actively playing international football so they could jointly set the record next year.
But before Messi can dream about yet another record, his main focus lies with Miami as they face Chicago Fire on Sunday.
