Lionel Messi nears contract extension with Inter Miami: Report

Lionel Messi is close to signing a multiyear contract extension with Inter Miami, according to a report released on Wednesday by ESPN, and that the biggest player in Major League Soccer may continue to play.

According to the report, the discussions are still in progress and only minor details are being settled. Financial details were not disclosed.

Messi, 38, signed for Inter Miami in the 2023 season and has a contract that runs until the end of the 2025 campaign.

He has 20 goals in 21 league games this season, which is second behind him in the MLS. Messi also has 11 assists, placing her sixth. He added 16 assists and 20 goals (tied for second in the league) last season.

Messi totaled 41 goals and 27 assists in 46 Herons league games overall. Messi has 54 goals in 62 games overall.

Messi played for Paris Saint-Germain from 2002-2003 and Barcelona from 2004-2005, earning the Ballon d’Or eight times. In addition to helping Barcelona win the UEFA Champions League four times, he was a member of 10 Spanish and two French league titles.

Messi immediately won the 2023 Leagues Cup for Inter Miami when he joined the MLS. The Herons won the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, which is given to the organization with the best regular-season record, but they suffered a playoff defeat in the first round.

In a Saturday home game against DC United, Inter Miami (146-7, 49 points) is in sixth place in the MLS Eastern Conference.

Argentina won the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles under Messi’s leadership in 2022.

He currently ranks second in MLS with 20 goals, making him Inter Miami’s top scorer. Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi has scored 62 goals and added 29 assists.