Lionel Messi and Inter Miami would like to keep their partnership going.
The player and club are close to finalizing a new multi-year contract to keep forward in Miami for the foreseeable future, per ESPN. There are reportedly a few details left to iron out, but the deal is expected to be done soon and then sent to Major League Soccer for final approval.
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There had previously been rumors linking Messi to other clubs and leagues, most notably Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli being “ready to do whatever it takes” to land the living legend. Saudi Arabia’s government previously pursued Messi to join its local league with some truly eye-watering numbers when he first left Paris Saint-Germain, but he ended up deciding to take a (still very expensive) deal with Miami.
Lionel Messi is staying in Miami. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
(Megan Briggs via Getty Images)
Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 and his tenure has overall been successful, but with some notable disappointments. They immediately won Miami’s first title with the League Cup in 2023 and set an MLS record for points while winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2024, only to get stunned by Atlanta United in the first round of the MLS playoffs.
Miami currently sits in sixth place in the East this year, but with three fewer matches played than the top 5 teams.
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In 46 matches and 38 starts for Miami, Messi has posted 41 goals and 22 assists. The club has remade itself around him, hiring two different head coaches with connections to him and signing former Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez. There are also nine other Argentineans on the team’s active roster.
While his club future might be nearing an answer, Messi still has a decision ahead of him with Argentina and next year’s World Cup.
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