Lionel Messi has signed a new multi-year contract that keeps him at Inter Miami through the end of the 2028 MLS season, the club announced. The extension closes the loop on months of talks and locks the league’s biggest draw into Miami’s first years at its new home, Miami Freedom Park.
“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… We’re all really excited about the moment when we can finally play at Miami Freedom Park,” Messi said in the club’s announcement.
“Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here.”
The timing fits Miami’s build. Freedom Park, a 25,000-seat stadium and larger mixed-use district, is scheduled to open in 2026, with seats already being marketed for the inaugural season. The extension ensures Messi will be the face of that move from Fort Lauderdale to the city limits.
Financial terms were not disclosed, though nothing changes the fact that Messi is MLS’s top earner. Public salary data for 2025 shows total guaranteed compensation of about $20.45 million, the league high by a distance. For background on contract mechanics and commercial sweeteners, see our explainer.
On the field and off it, the numbers are stark. Since arriving in July 2023, Messi led Miami to the inaugural 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, earned the 2024 Landon Donovan MLS MVP award, and, this year, took the Golden Boot with 29 goals in 28 league games. The club’s release tallied 71 goals and 44 assists in 82 appearances across competitions to date.
What this means for Miami and MLS
This extension resolves the short-term uncertainty for Miami. It positions Messi for the Freedom Park years, keeps the business tailwind, and steadies a roster in transition. Jorge Mas called it “an ode to our amazing city,” and David Beckham praised Messi’s commitment to both club and game.
The league keeps its headline act in place as the 2026 World Cup nears. Messi’s commitment maintains MLS’s global spotlight and points to busy nights in South Florida as Inter Miami shifts from Chase Stadium to Freedom Park.
One detail reported abroad will draw attention: the new deal includes an equity component that would give Messi a stake in the club upon retirement as a player. Note that yet Inter Miami has yet to confirm that in its statement, but it’s purportedly part of the agreement.
In competitive terms, the extension extends the window for Miami’s trophy push. Messi has already carried Miami to milestones in the expanded Club World Cup, and his presence stabilizes recruitment and the academy pipeline as the club balances aging stars with younger legs.
Put simply, this is the clearest sign yet that Messi intends to finish his club career in South Florida. The calendar now stretches to 2028, which would take him into his age-41 season, and it aligns the end of his playing days with the beginning of Miami’s life downtown.
