Inter Miami is dealing with surprising challenges in its bid to increase Lionel Messi‘s contract past 2025, and surprisingly, Barcelona seems to be on the coronary heart of the difficulty. Messi’s present take care of the MLS crew runs by means of the tip of the 2025 season, however co-owner Jorge Mas stays optimistic about conserving the Argentine famous person for the opening of Miami Freedom Park in 2026. Nonetheless, latest developments counsel the journey to securing Messi’s future in Florida will not be simple.
Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023, signing a two-and-a-half-year take care of no membership choice for an extension. The contract positions the 2025 MLS season as doubtlessly his last marketing campaign for the Herons. Nonetheless, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has been vocal about his confidence in retaining Messi.
“Messi is below contract by means of 2025; Leo and I’ll sit and talk about the longer term,” Mas acknowledged throughout a media interplay final November. “I totally anticipate that within the opening of our new stadium in 2026 and the opening of our 2026 MLS season after a trophy-laden 2025 season, that Leo Messi might be our No. 10.”
The Miami franchise has good purpose to be hopeful. Messi was instrumental of their historic 2024 season, scoring 21 objectives and offering 17 assists in simply 21 league matches. His management helped Inter Miami safe the 2024 Supporters’ Protect and set a brand new league report for factors scored in a single season.
With the 2026 World Cup set to happen in the US and the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Miami Freedom Park on the horizon, the Herons are banking on Messi’s presence to raise its stature additional.
Unbreakable Barcelona connection
Regardless of the membership’s ambitions, Spanish media outlet Relevo has reported that Messi harbors a robust need to return to Barcelona—not essentially to rejoin Barcelona however to dwell within the metropolis he holds pricey. This complicates Inter Miami’s efforts to increase his keep in Florida.
David Beckham, one other co-owner of Inter Miami, acknowledged Messi’s deep connection to Barcelona through the Financial Discussion board in Davos this week. “I would really like Messi to dwell in Miami when he retires, however Leo informed me that he solely thinks about residing close to the Camp Nou. There isn’t any participant who loves Barcelona as a lot as he does. You may see the Barca crest on his leg and even on his water bottle,” Beckham revealed.
The 37-year-old’s love for Barcelona is well-documented. Having spent nearly all of his profession on the membership, town holds a particular place in his coronary heart. It’s no shock that he would wish to return there after retiring from skilled soccer.
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