Messi Set to Shock Soccer World with Blockbuster Multi-Year Extension at Inter Miami

The most prominent player in Major League Soccer will continue with his current team for an extended period.

Based on fresh reporting from ESPN's Lizzy Becherano and Moises Llorens, Lionel Messi is nearing completion of a new multi-year agreement to stay with Inter Miami. While both parties still need to iron out some remaining details, ESPN indicates the contract is in its concluding negotiation phases and should be finalized shortly.

The Argentine superstar arrived at the franchise during the middle of the 2023 campaign and inked a deal that was set to keep him with the organization through this season's conclusion. Toward the end of last year, Miami's managing director Jorge Mas expressed his desire to keep the 38-year-old icon beyond his original agreement, particularly as the club prepares to unveil its new venue—Miami Freedom Park—in the upcoming year.

Messi has recently achieved the distinction of becoming only the fifth player in the league's history to post consecutive seasons with 20 or more goals. His 20th strike of the current regular season occurred Tuesday in the match against the Seattle Sounders, placing him alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Josef Martinez, David Villa and Denis Bouanga as the exclusive group to hit the 20-goal mark in back-to-back MLS campaigns.

ESPN's Tuesday night coverage highlighted that despite Messi being connected to organizations in different leagues, both parties maintained their interest in extending their partnership. His original contract with Miami featured distinctive terms, including scheduled equity ownership in the franchise following his retirement. That ownership position will need to be postponed as Messi will allegedly continue playing in South Florida for several more years.