Lionel Messi Reveals Why He Signed Inter Miami Contract Extension

Lionel Messi cited Inter Miami’s upcoming stadium, Miami Freedom Park, arsenic a motivator down signing a statement hold pinch Inter Miami.

The MLS Golden Boot winner inked a caller woody that runs done nan 2028 season connected Thursday putting an extremity to months of speculation. Given his longtime teammates, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, announced their retirements this season, interest arose fixed Messi is 38-years-old.

Though, by signing connected for 3 much seasons, Messi is committing to playing done his property 41 season. Miami Freedom Park, still nether construction, served arsenic nan backdrop for nan announcement and nan Argentine is looking guardant to its expansive opening.

“We’re each really excited astir nan infinitesimal erstwhile we tin yet play astatine Miami Freedom Park. We can’t hold for it to beryllium finished—to acquisition it from nan inside, successful our caller home, and for nan fans to bask it arsenic well. It’s going to beryllium thing very typical to play astatine location successful specified a spectacular stadium.” Messi said.

Lionel Messi came wrong a extremity publication of Carlos Vela's all-time MLS record. / Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images

Inter Miami managing proprietor Jorge Mas added that keeping Messi astatine nan nine furthers a committedness they made to fans and nan city.

“We promised our fans that we would dream large to build an iconic club. A nine that represents nan passion, difficult activity and dedication of each those that came earlier america to create a Miami built connected dreams. Leo signing done 2028 is an ode to our astonishing city,” Mas said.

Club president and co-owner, David Beckham, followed up saying signing Messi follows done connected their “vision” to bring nan champion to nan club.

Messi first joined Inter Miami successful 2023 starring nan Herons to nan Leagues Cup that summertime and a record-setting Supporters’ Shield nan twelvemonth after. This season, Messi vanished arsenic apical goalscorer (29) and tied for nan astir assists (19), coming up 1 extremity publication short of matching Carlos Vela’s convention record. His effect connected MLS, disconnected nan pitch, is well-documented arsenic liking and viewership person accrued significantly.

“It makes maine really happy to enactment present and to proceed pinch this task that, too being a dream, has go a beautiful reality—playing successful this stadium, astatine Miami Freedom Park. Since I arrived successful Miami, I’ve been very happy, truthful I’m genuinely gladsome to support going here,” Messi said.

Messi Eyeing More History Before New Contract Begins

Messi has been immense for MLS arsenic a whole. / Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images

Messi was nan starring scorer connected nan highest-scoring Herons squad of each time. Inter Miami scored 81 goals successful 2025 becoming conscionable nan 3rd squad successful convention history to surpass nan 80-goal mark.

If Messi goes connected to triumph nan Landon Donovan MVP award again, he would go nan first subordinate successful convention history to triumph nan grant successful consecutive seasons. And, conscionable nan 2nd subordinate to triumph nan grant doubly pursuing Predrag Radosavljević.

Not only that, but Miami are a favourite to situation for nan MLS Cup. After coming up short successful nan Leagues Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Concacaf Champions Cup, nan apical prize successful MLS is nan only trophy remaining.

After mounting nan regular play points full successful 2024, Miami collapsed retired successful nan first information to Atlanta United. Improving connected their exit remains a priority, but lifting MLS Cup could kickstart a caller era pinch Messi starring nan measurement for nan adjacent 3 years.

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