Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi remain in negotiations to extend the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's contract beyond the end of 2025, a source told ESPN.
Despite recent reports linking Messi to clubs in other leagues, both Inter Miami and the Argentine captain remain interested in continuing their relationship on the field.
Messi signed with Inter Miami in July 2023 on a two-and-a-half year Designated-Player contract through the end of the 2025 MLS season. Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas told ESPN last month that the team will take whatever measures necessary to ensure Messi remains with the club moving forward, with cautious optimism over the renewal.
Miami is set to open a new stadium, Miami Freedom Park, in time for the 2026 season.
"I previously said that my wish, my dream would be for the number 10 to inaugurate our new stadium in March. This is a decision that rests on Messi. We wish for Messi to finish his career here. I said a few months ago that we should have news in the summer about that but hopefully it will be as soon as possible," Mas said.
"But I am optimistic because we have done everything possible for Leo to feel at home, to feel comfortable. I always said that he is a competitive animal, he wants to win. I hope we can raise many trophies together here at Inter Miami in the coming years. Here, we're just waiting to be able to give the fans the good news about Lionel Messi."
Messi has led Miami to its first ever trophies, with the inaugural 2023 Leagues Cup followed by the 2024 Supporters' Shield and a league record for most points in a single season.
Lionel Messi has been a huge success for Inter Miami.
The Supporters' Shield earned Inter Miami a spot in the 2025 Club World Cup, where they qualified to the knockout stage in second place of Group A before falling 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain round of 16.
Individually, Messi has recorded 31 goals and 22 assists in 38 regular-season MLS games and won the 2024 league MVP award for his contributions on the pitch. He also managed seven goals and two assists in nine Concacaf Champions Cup matches across the 2024 and 2025 campaigns.
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said Friday he doesn't talk to Messi about his contractual situation with the club, instead focusing the conversations on the game.
"No, I don't get involved in those matters," he told reporters. "What we talked about the [Club World Cup] is that, aside from the last match, which was clearly difficult for us, we played well, we competed and we were up to the task. We hoped we could do it. Sometimes football gives you the opportunity and sometimes it doesn't."
Inter Miami returns to action for the first time since being eliminated from the Club World Cup when visiting CF Montreal in an MLS regular-season match on Saturday.
[(Inter Miami CF) Strength]: 1. Inter Miami CF have advanced to the semi-finals of the Leagues Cup this season after a series of impressive victories. Having won the inaugural edition of the tournament, the team are now poised to make another strong push for the title, fully motivated.2. Inter Miami CF's key striker Luis Suarez has been in excellent form in the Leagues Cup, showcasing strong offen...
[(Augsburg) Strength]: 1. Augsburg performed well in the league and the Cup at the beginning of the season. Facing Bundesliga leaders, FC Bayern Munich, they will surely go all out for 3 points in this round, the first home game of the new season.2. Augsburg center-back Maximilian Bauer, left-back Dimitris Giannoulis, and offensive midfielder Alexis Claude Maurice will be sidelined. Besides, centr...
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[(Vissel Kobe) Strength]: 1. Vissel Kobe are currently ranked 5th in the league, trailing the top spot by just one point. Facing bottom-placed Yokohama F. Marinos, the whole team are highly motivated and determined to secure a full three points at home to continue their push for the top position.2. Vissel Kobe have maintained a solid performance at home this season, securing 7 wins, 2 draws, and 4...
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[(Kyoto Sanga FC) Strength]: 1. Kyoto Sanga FC are at the top of the J1 League table, 3 points ahead of 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers. The title race is very intense. This home match against mid-table team Fagiano Okayama is a crucial battle to consolidate their lead, and their motivation is very high.2. Kyoto Sanga FC won 3-0 over FC Tokyo in the last league game on the road, securing a 3-game winni...
[(Yokohama FC) Strength]: 1. Yokohama FC currently rank 19th in the J1 League and are deeply mired in the relegation zone and under huge pressure to avoid relegation. In this home game against 14th-placed Tokyo Verdy, Yokohama FC are highly motivated. The team are eager to take all three points by leveraging the home field advantage.[(Yokohama FC) Weakness]: 1. Yokohama FC's forwards, Toma Murata ...
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