Lionel Messi contract update: ‘Final details’ being thrashed out by Inter Miami as Argentine GOAT looks to make history with back-to-back MLS MVP awards

The South American superstar moved to the United States in 2023. The ex-Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain playmaker bid farewell to Europe after rewriting the record books there. He has continued to do that on a regular basis since making his way to South Florida - with Manchester United and England legend David Beckham helping to put that deal in place.

Messi’s initial terms are due to expire at the end of the 2025 campaign. It is yet to be determined when that will be, with Inter Miami making their way into the playoffs once again. Their talismanic No.10 heads into the postseason as the Golden Boot winner in MLS. He found the target on 29 occasions during the regular season, while registering a further 19 assists.

He has fallen agonisingly short of matching Carlos Vela’s record of 40 goal contributions in a single campaign, but is still posting some astonishing numbers. A hat-trick in a 5-2 victory over Nashville saw Messi reach the end of the regular season in style.

Javier Mascherano will be eager for his side to avoid any distractions heading into the playoffs, but debate regarding Messi’s future plans will continue to rage for as long as a new contract remains unsigned.

Fabrizio Romano has, however, hinted that a signature on that paperwork is close. The transfer guru has posted on social media: “Leo Messi closes regular season with Inter Miami at 48 G/A and talks over new contract remain at very advanced stages. Messi, expected to stay and sign new deal at the club with final details being sorted…as he’s fully focused on Inter Miami project.”

There has been no official word on how long Messi’s new deal will run for. It was suggested at one stage that he could commit to another two years - taking the evergreen Argentine beyond his 40th birthday. Eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo is still going strong at that age with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.

Mascherano has said when asked about Messi’s plans, with little being given away inside the Inter Miami camp: “I'm not going to talk about hypotheticals, and I'm not the one who has to break that news. I hope it happens soon, as I always say, because I think it's great news not only for the club, but for MLS in general. If it happens, it will be great news for American soccer to be able to count on him for a while longer. It's unique for the club's history, but it would be very important for the country's soccer. But I repeat: we have to wait for things to develop on their own and for those who need to announce it to be able to announce it.”

Former USMNT star and MLS performer Brad Friedel has previously told GOAL of the need for Messi to remain in North America: “I hope from an MLS point of view and football in America that he stays put. I think that a departure would be a big blow to MLS, a big blow to building things up for MLS prior to a World Cup on home soil.

“There have been a lot of players at the end of their careers that have come to MLS. He’s been one that has performed incredibly well, you see his numbers - goals and assists don’t lie. He’s been incredibly professional around the league itself. I think that would be a big blow for the league if he didn’t sign a new deal.

“The thing that makes any professional league tick, in any sport, is the type of media rights deals that you can get to keep the sport going. When you have people like Lionel Messi, it helps a lot.

“For someone that grew up in this country without a professional league at all, I would like to think that perhaps when he has done playing he will still be involved in MLS in an ownership capacity or something of that nature - to keep helping the name and the brand of MLS to grow. That’s from a selfish standpoint. Let’s hope that he stays in Miami.”

Inter Miami know that they will be bidding farewell to a couple of former Barcelona stars at the end of the year. Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have announced their respective retirements, with it yet to be determined what veteran striker Luis Suarez has planned - with the 38-year-old Uruguayan having struggled with knee problems for some time.