Lionel Messi to stay at Inter Miami for ‘many years to come’? Jordi Alba airs future hope amid talk of Argentine GOAT extending contract through 2026 MLS campaign

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi made his way to the United States in the summer of 2023, having decided to call time on an iconic spell in European football that saw him grace the books at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

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A number of familiar faces from Camp Nou have joined him in South Florida, including Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez. Messi’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the year, but a 12-month option is expected to be taken up.

Messi will be 39 by the time those terms come to a close, but eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo has shown that it is possible to maintain remarkable individual standards after passing a 40th birthday.

Alba, who has already extended his Inter Miami contract, has told FIFA’s official website of working with Messi and his hopes for the future: “We’ve been sharing a dressing room for many years now. We were apart for two years, but then the opportunity came along to link up again here. All it takes is a glance for us to know what the other is thinking. We’re lucky enough to have combined to score many goals. It’s very easy to forge that bond, and I consider it a privilege to line up alongside the greatest player of all time.

“I’ve always said that Leo improves any team he’s in, and he’s made me a better player. I’ve been on the receiving end of a fair few of his assists, and I also have him to thank for being able to clock up so many assists. After all, every player is keen to boost their stats. I hope we can keep playing together for many years to come.”

Messi and Alba will soon be gracing the FIFA Club World Cup, which is heading to America and gets underway on June 14. Alba added on that event: “We want to be competitive and to make our mark, because it’s the first time that we’ve had the opportunity to play on the global stage. We have high hopes as a team and for the club as a whole, and we’re keen to make the fans proud.

“It’s exciting for the United States and for the fans here to get to experience such a high-calibre competition. I’ve had the great fortune of being able to play in similar competitions, and they’re special events to be involved in. This tournament is unlike others I’ve experienced – it has a different format and there are many more teams, and that makes it all the more special. I’m really looking forward to the action getting started and to seeing all the teams over here.”

Inter Miami have one more MLS fixture to come, at home to the Columbus Crew on Saturday, before attention turns to Club World Cup matters, with their first outing at that event seeing them face Al Ahly in the competition opener.