Messi extends Inter Miami contract to 2028

Lionel Messi has extended his contract with Inter Miami through 2028, the club announced, committing the 38‑year‑old forward to Major League Soccer for three more seasons and strengthening the league’s global profile. Messi, an eight‑time Ballon d’Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion, remains a central figure for Inter Miami after joining the club in 2023; he led MLS in goals this season with 29 as the team finished third in the Eastern Conference and heads into the playoffs.

Club statements described the extension as part of a long‑term project to solidify Inter Miami’s standing domestically and internationally. Ownership praised Messi’s impact on and off the pitch, citing surges in ticket sales, merchandising and broadcast viewership since his arrival. Reports say the new deal includes performance bonuses, ambassadorial duties and an equity component that could make Messi a part‑owner post‑retirement, underscoring his deeper role in the club’s future plans. The contract keeps him in place through the 2026 World Cup cycle and beyond, though Messi has not signalled a retirement timeline and has previously said he intends Inter Miami to be his final club.

Sportingly, Messi’s presence transformed Inter Miami into a title contender and commercial powerhouse; he helped the club capture the Leagues Cup soon after arriving and has amassed significant goal and assist totals across competitions. The extension is expected to bolster Inter Miami’s expansion blueprint, including the opening of Miami Freedom Park and a new stadium complex scheduled for 2026, which club executives say will benefit from sustained star power and stronger sponsorship interest.

The renewal arrives as MLS prepares for heightened attention ahead of the 2026 World Cup co‑hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with Messi’s continued participation viewed as a major draw for global audiences. Sporting director and coaching staff hailed the stability the deal provides, saying it supports squad planning and long‑term competitiveness. Fans, sponsors and league officials welcomed the announcement, framing it as a win for MLS growth and for football’s profile in North America.

Messi expressed gratitude to supporters in Miami and signalled motivation to keep building success, emphasizing a desire to help grow the sport in the U.S. and inspire younger players. The extension cements his role as a defining figure for Inter Miami and a transformative influence on MLS, with expectations that his continued presence will sustain commercial momentum, elevate competitive standards and shape the club’s legacy through the remainder of the decade.