It’s official: Lionel Messi’s American soccer journey is set to continue, as Inter Miami and the Argentine icon are finalizing a multi-year contract extension that will keep him in South Florida for at least two more seasons. The news, confirmed on September 18, 2025, marks a pivotal moment for both club and league, solidifying Messi’s role as the face of Major League Soccer and ensuring his presence as Inter Miami prepares to open its long-awaited Miami Freedom Park stadium in 2026.
Negotiations for this new contract have been ongoing for months, with sources from ESPN, USA Today, and the Miami Herald all reporting that only minor details remain before the deal is submitted to MLS for approval. While financial specifics have not been disclosed, Messi’s previous agreement—signed in July 2023—was valued between $130 million and $150 million, including equity in the franchise and an annual salary of $20.45 million. The new deal is expected to be his final contract, aligning with the opening of the new stadium and the next FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Messi’s impact on Inter Miami and MLS has been nothing short of revolutionary. Since joining the Herons in July 2023, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has rewritten the club’s record books and elevated the league’s global profile. In the 2025 season, Messi, now 38, has scored 20 goals in 21 MLS appearances—second only to Nashville’s Sam Surridge—and provided 11 assists, tying him for sixth in the league. Across all competitions this year, he’s tallied 28 goals and 14 assists over 36 matches, demonstrating a level of consistency and brilliance that few players of his age have ever maintained.
His cumulative MLS record is even more staggering: 41 goals and 27 assists in just 46 league matches, and 54 goals in 62 games when cup competitions are included. These numbers have made him Inter Miami’s all-time leader in both goals (62) and assists (29), a remarkable feat considering he’s been with the club for just over two years.
But Messi’s influence extends far beyond the pitch. Since his arrival, Inter Miami’s revenue has soared from $50–60 million in 2022 to a projected $300 million in 2025, according to club sources. Attendance figures, ticket prices, sponsorship deals, and merchandise sales have all reached unprecedented heights. “I lived through the David Beckham years, and there’s the tangible results that he brought, the same with Messi,” said former U.S. great Landon Donovan, now with Fox Sports. “But then there’s the anecdotal, there’s just a buzz around MLS because Messi is here. There’s a buzz around the country because a player of his stature, who many would argue is possibly the best player that’s ever played the game, and he’s playing here in America, in a league that for decades people have frowned upon and looked down upon.”
Donovan’s sentiment is echoed by Alexi Lalas, another former U.S. national team player and Fox Sports commentator. “Aside from the goals and the attention and actual money Messi has generated, I think the [MLS] credibility factor is huge, and that’s something that lasts well beyond his time,” Lalas said. “The more and more players that have an incredible platform, an incredible brand, and an incredible megaphone to be able to shout it to the world, ‘Yeah! It’s ok! You can make money. You can have a great lifestyle. You’re not going to suffer when it comes to the perception of you and your credibility from a national team perspective.’ I hope he has many, many more years here, but I think that can last going forward, and you will see residual impact.”
Messi’s arrival has also reshaped Inter Miami’s roster and ambitions. The club has built a team around him, bringing in former Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez, as well as nine other Argentines. Coaches with ties to Messi have been appointed to maximize his influence, and the results have been immediate. Messi led Inter Miami to its first two major trophies: the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, awarded for the best regular-season record in MLS. Despite these successes, the elusive MLS Cup remains out of reach, with the Herons falling in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. As of September 18, 2025, Inter Miami sits sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 14-6-7 record and seven games left in the regular season, still in the hunt for another postseason run.
Internationally, Messi’s legend continues to grow. He guided Argentina to the World Cup championship in 2022 and Copa America titles in both 2021 and 2024. With the 2026 World Cup set to take place in North America, Messi is aiming to help Argentina defend their crown, adding another layer of excitement for U.S. soccer fans and further cementing his status as a global ambassador for the sport.
The timing of Messi’s contract extension is no coincidence. Inter Miami’s new stadium, Miami Freedom Park, is set to open next year, and the club has been selling ticket packages and taking deposits for seats in anticipation of Messi’s continued presence. There’s little doubt that demand would plummet if Messi were to depart, but with the extension nearly finalized, the Herons can look forward to packed stands and a worldwide spotlight for seasons to come.
Messi’s legacy in MLS is already secure. He was named league MVP in 2024 despite missing 15 regular-season matches due to injuries and national team duties. His performances have inspired a generation of fans and players, and his presence has fundamentally altered perceptions of American soccer both at home and abroad. As Donovan noted, “My son, every morning, walks out with an Inter Miami Messi jersey, 8 years old, and he’s obsessed with him. And not just because he was playing at Barcelona and for Argentina. It’s because now he’s in Miami, and he thinks he has a chance to go see him.”
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on Inter Miami’s upcoming match against DC United, scheduled for September 20, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale. With Messi leading the charge and a new contract imminent, the Herons are poised for another thrilling chapter in their young history. The official announcement of Messi’s extension is expected within the next 10 days, but the message is already clear: the world’s greatest player isn’t done dazzling American crowds just yet.
For Inter Miami, MLS, and soccer fans across the globe, Messi’s decision to stay means the magic continues—and the best may be yet to come.
