Lionel Messi has signed an extension to stay with Inter Miami through the 2028 MLS season, the club announced Thursday.
Messi, 38, just wrapped up his third season with the Herons and finished with an MLS-best 29 goals, earning his first Golden Boot. Inter Miami beat Nashville, 5-2, in Saturday’s regular-season finale with the Argentine superstar recording a hat trick to seal the league’s top goalscorer award.
HE’S HOME. pic.twitter.com/AUMJJYR5pF
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 23, 2025
Keeping Messi was a priority for club owners David Beckham and Jorge Mas. Freedom Park, a privately funded 25,000-seat stadium, is set to open next season and having the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and likely soon-to-be two-time MLS MVP on the roster was imperative.
“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, said Mas in a statement. “Leo signing through 2028 is an ode to our amazing city. We very much look forward to writing new chapters at our stadium at Miami Freedom Park. Together we will continue building and dreaming.”
Since joining Inter Miami in the summer of 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain, Messi has led the club to the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield titles, and was voted 2024 league MVP. He has recorded 71 goals and 37 assists in 82 appearances in all competitions since signing.
What Inter Miami and Messi have been unable to do is find postseason success. After missing the playoffs in 2023, they fell in the opening round to Atlanta United last year. They will try again in their pursuit of a first MLS Cup title beginning with a best-of-three series against Nashville on Friday (8 p.m. ET, FS1).
