Lionel Messi feels the love! Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham sends emotional message after Argentine GOAT committed to new three-year contract with MLS side

Messi has officially pledged his future to Inter Miami, signing a new three-year deal that will keep him in Florida until the age of 41. Talks of an extension first surfaced in April, but discussions had seemingly cooled over the summer. The deal’s confirmation this week finally silenced months of speculation about Messi’s next move, with fans breathing a collective sigh of relief that the GOAT will continue dazzling U.S. crowds, at least for the next few years. In a heartfelt interview with NBC Nightly News, Messi opened up about his decision to stay put.

"Honestly, I felt really good during the year," Messi said. "I'm happy living in Miami, as is my family, and honestly, the decision was easy. I've always said that I’ll base my decision on how I feel day to day and how I feel physically and mentally to continue playing and to continue being part of this club."

Beckham could barely hide his pride as he penned a moving Instagram tribute to the man who changed the sporting and commercial dynamics of the club. “When we started this journey, our vision was to bring the best players to Miami,” Beckham wrote. "In 2023, we brought the best player to have ever played the game to our city. Today, I am so happy that he’s still as committed as he’s ever been and still wants to wear the pink of Miami and play on our team. As an owner, 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, I feel very lucky. Gracias Leo, here’s to the future."

Despite committing to his club future, Messi’s international plans remain uncertain. Speaking earlier this year while on duty with Argentina, the forward admitted he hasn’t yet decided whether he’ll participate in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States, along with Mexico and Canada.

"Day by day, I try to feel good and, above all, be honest with myself. When I feel good, I enjoy it. But when I don’t, honestly, I don’t enjoy it - and if that’s the case, I’d rather not be there. So we’ll see," he said at the time. "I haven’t made a decision yet about the World Cup. Match by match, I’ll finish the season, then have preseason, and in six months, I’ll see how I feel. Hopefully, I can finish this MLS season strong, have a good preseason in 2026, and then make a decision."

Since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, Messi has scored 73 goals and provided 37 assists in 83 appearances for Inter Miami. Last season, he led Miami to their first Leagues Cup title, followed by a historic Supporters’ Shield triumph in 2024. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was also named MLS Golden Boot winner and remains in the running to clinch the league’s MVP award for the second straight year, something no player has ever achieved in the brief history of the competition. In fact, Messi's ground-breaking impact has echoed beyond the pitch. Since his debut, Inter Miami’s market value has more than doubled to $1.2 billion, according to Sportico and Forbes. Across the league, attendances have skyrocketed, with MLS drawing 11.2 million fans in 2025, the second-highest figure in history. When Messi plays away, home teams see an average attendance boost of 14,000, a staggering 63 per cent jump from their usual crowds. Inter Miami’s Instagram following exploded from 1 million to nearly 18 million, trailing only the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors among U.S. sports teams. His pink No.10 shirt has topped MLS sales charts for three consecutive seasons and remains adidas’s best-selling jersey across the globe.

Inter Miami finished third in the Eastern Conference, collecting 19 wins and eight draws in 34 games. In their final regular-season outing, they thrashed Nashville 5–2, with Messi netting a hat-trick. That win set the stage for their playoff campaign, which began in spectacular fashion with a 3–1 victory in the first leg of the series against the same opponents, with Messi on the scoresheet twice. Miami will travel to Nashville for the second match on November 1, with the Argentine icon expected to once again take centre stage.