[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 23, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts during the second half of a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against SE Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium.

Lionel Messi has agreed to a contract extension with Inter Miami through the 2028 MLS season, the club announced on Thursday.

The move, which has been rumored to be close for months, was finally made official on the eve of Miami's playoff opener against Nashville SC on Friday.

Messi signed a two-and-a-half year contract when he joined Inter Miami midway through the 2023 season, with that deal expiring at the end of 2025.

Should he stay for the duration of his new contract, Messi will be 41 when the deal expires.

“It makes me really happy to stay here and to continue with this project that, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality — playing in this stadium, at Miami Freedom Park. Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here," Messi said in a club release.

The Argentina superstar has lived up to the hype since his arrival and then some, as he appears on the verge of winning his second straight MLS MVP award.

Messi led Inter Miami to the 2023 Leagues Cup immediately after his arrival in South Florida. Last year, he helped the Herons win the Supporters' Shield with an all-time MLS record for points in the regular season.

The World Cup winner has been one of, if not the best player in MLS since his arrival, winning the MVP last season with a league-leading 36 goal contributions (20 goals, 16 assists).

Messi is the odds-on favorite to repeat this year after leading the league in both goals (29) and assists (19). The 48 goal contributions were the second-most in MLS history, one behind Carlos Vela's 49 in the 2019 season.

“When Lionel Messi made MLS his league of choice, it marked a turning point — not just for Inter Miami, but for our entire sport in North America,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber.

“Since then, we’ve witnessed something truly historic: the greatest player of all time bringing global attention to our league. We’re thrilled that Leo has chosen to stay and continue his career with Inter Miami.”

The 38-year-old will now be front and center when Inter Miami moves into brand-new Miami Freedom Park next year.

The club will open its new soccer-specific facility in Miami after playing at Chase Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale since its inaugural season in 2020.

“Our vision was to bring the best players to Inter Miami and to this city, and that’s exactly what we have done,” said Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham. “We brought the best player to have ever played the game to our city. That shows our commitment to Miami, but it also shows Leo’s commitment to the city, to the club, and to the game.

"He’s still as committed as he’s ever been and he still wants to win. As owners, to have a player that loves the game as much as he does, and who has done as much for the game in this country and to inspire the next generation of young talent as he has, we feel very lucky.”

This article originally appeared on Pro Soccer Wire: Messi extends Inter Miami contract through 2028

Reporting by Seth Vertelney, Pro Soccer Wire / Pro Soccer Wire

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