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Despite widespread speculation about Lionel Messi returning to Argentina to play for his childhood club Newell's Old Boys, a fresh report indicates that the Inter Miami star remains fully committed to his MLS future, with the possibility of a contract extension already being floated.
Messi is in the twilight of his storied career. The most decorated player in football history has achieved everything the sport has to offer and has already stepped away from international competition. At this stage, few would blame Messi if nostalgia began to shape his future decisions.
This week, Argentine journalist Gonzalo Calvigioni suggested that "Messi has never been so close" to a move to Newell's Old Boys, with a potential switch penciled in for January 2027. Messi famously grew up supporting Newell's and shone in their youth academy, only for club management to refuse to fund his expensive growth hormone treatment, ultimately pushing him toward Barcelona at just 13 years old.
It remains one of the more remarkable footnotes of his career that the greatest Argentine footballer of all time has never once featured in his country's top division.
Any momentum behind those rumors was swiftly dampened by Fabrizio Romano, who stated with confidence that Messi is "very happy at Inter Miami," where he plans to see out his contract through December 2028. Romano also noted that Messi's MLS stay is set to continue until 2028 for "at least" two more years, with the possibility of extending his current deal "to be evaluated later on."
Could Lionel Messi Stay at Inter Miami Beyond 2028?
If David Beckham and Inter Miami — and MLS as a whole — had their way, Messi would be handed a permanent contract. The iconic World Cup champion is the ultimate promotional asset for a league he continues to dominate.
Even at this late point in his career, Messi remains the most potent attacking presence in MLS. The 39-year-old tops the league in goals, xG, shots, and shots on target, while also generating the highest number of clear-cut chances in the entire division.
"There will be a before and after Messi," Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas remarked after sealing the most significant deal in U.S. soccer history three years ago. He simply isn't ready for the "after Messi" era to begin just yet.
Inter Miami's valuation has more than doubled to $1.3 billion since Messi's arrival, while attendance and interest in matches across the league have surged to unprecedented levels thanks to the marketability of the understated Argentine superstar.
While a large number of stakeholders are eager to prolong Messi's Florida chapter, the man himself has shown little desire to play on indefinitely.
When Messi tearfully announced his retirement from international football following the emotionally exhausting experience of competing in the 2026 World Cup while his father Jorge was gravely ill, he hinted at a broader withdrawal from the sport. "All I ever did was play soccer," he wrote in an open letter to his late father in August, "and now I'm really not sure if I'll keep doing it for much longer."
Preparations are already underway for Messi's transition into life after playing, with a growing collection of clubs falling under his ownership umbrella. "I am just starting out," Messi said of his expanding business ventures. The same, however, can no longer be said for his time on the pitch.