Lionel Messi seems to be set to increase his keep at Inter Miami, in keeping with co-owner Jorge Mas.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is presently underneath contract till the top of the 2025 MLS season and at 37-years-old, his storied profession is drawing to an in depth.
It has lengthy been prompt that Messi would return to Argentina to play out his closing years, however that may not be the case if he’s joyful within the US.
The previous Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star, who joined Inter Miami in July 2023, has been a key a part of their success this yr.
With 20 objectives and 16 assists in 15 common season begins, he helped the membership win the Supporters’ Protect with a report breaking 74 factors within the Japanese Convention.
However their final purpose of profitable the MLS Cup stays unfulfilled.
Inter Miami crashed out within the first spherical of the playoffs final month, shedding to Atlanta United over three video games.
Regardless of ending the season in disappointing fashion, it seems Messi is on track to signal a brand new take care of the membership.
Talking forward of the draw for the 2025 Membership World Cup – which can embrace Inter Miami – co-owner Jorge Mas provided an optimistic replace on the Argentine’s future.
“As I stated earlier than, I am very assured that he’ll be opening our new stadium in ’26,” Mas stated.
“I will be sitting with Leo, you understand, now in some unspecified time in the future within the offseason.
“And I am optimistic that so long as Leo’s well being holds up, that we’ll be seeing him in pink.”
Mas will definitely be hoping Messi sticks round past 2025, as he has already admitted the legendary footballer had a hand in appointing Inter Miami’s new coach.
Javier Mascherano, a pal and former teammate of Messi, has changed Gerardo Martino within the function following the current playoff disappointment.
“I had a selected dialog with him. Leo gave me what I requested him, which was enter,” Mas instructed reporters of the choice to rent Mascherano.
“That was Leo’s involvement and engagement with me, which (occurs) frankly on a regular basis.”
Whereas Messi is but to place pen to paper on a brand new Inter Miami deal, discuss of an extension would counsel that he’s additionally hoping to taking part in within the World Cup in 2026.
The match will likely be hosted throughout the US, Canada and Mexico, and if the Argentine star continues to be taking part in common, aggressive soccer, he could lead his nation out on the largest stage as soon as extra.
Messi has already featured in 5 World Cups, and after profitable the prize in 2022, Argentina head into the 2026 match as defending champions.