Leo Messi and Inter Miami negotiate their future together: renewal on the way

The future of Leo Messi is becoming increasingly clear. The Argentine star, at 37 years of age, is still proving that he is like fine wine: the older, the better. The talented left-footer, legend of FC Barcelona, continues to show his magic, now in the MLS with Inter Miami, a team with which, in the 2024-25 season, he already has eight goals and three assists in nine matches, in the context of a stellar start to the season.

A start to the season that has only made the sports management of 'Las Garzas' work to direct the renewal of Leo Messi, whose contract ends on December 31. This situation has generated all kinds of speculations about whether or not he will continue in the Miami team, opening all the usual rumorology: that if he returns to FC Barcelona, that if he could arrive at Newell's, and speculations of the style.

Leo Messi's renewal with Inter Miami is already underway

However, everything seems to indicate that the award-winning career of the Argentine star will remain tied to Inter Miami. According to journalist David Ornstein in 'The Athletic', the contractual extension of Leo Messi with 'Las Garzas' is destined to be finalized soon. An extension that, by the way, would coincide with the inauguration of the spectacular Miami Freedom Park, the new home of the team that wears pink, which will begin to host local matches from next season and cannot afford to be without the '10' as a great star and element of attraction.

Likewise, it is emphasized that at Inter Miami —team that will play in the Club World Cup in the middle of the year— an ideal ecosystem has been generated for the Rosario native. He coincides with former Barcelona teammates such as Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, and is led by a former teammate and compatriot, Javier Mascherano. In a sports project in which he is already the top scorer (42, for now), assistant (21, for now) and historical player of the club, and in a country where, without a doubt, he is one of the great sports and media references.

Objective: to arrive in shape for the 2026 World Cup

A continuity that is also said to be motivated, in large part, by the option of staying in shape and arriving in optimal conditions for the dispute of the 2026 World Cup. The 'Albiceleste' is already qualified and it is predicted that it will be the last great tournament of the Rosario native with the Argentine national team shirt. A question that Jorge Mas, president of Inter Miami, also hinted at, and that could be key in his renewal: "His desire today is to play and defend the World Cup in the United States with Argentina, so that is very important for us," guaranteed the renowned businessman in recent statements to 'Fútbol de Primera'.

So all the pieces seem to fit with respect to the future of a Leo Messi who, at the time, did not rule out that the end of his career would be at Inter Miami: "I think Inter Miami will be the last team I play for, today it is like that," he asserted in an interview with 'ESPN Argentina'. That was said in June 2024. Will 'La Pulga' continue to maintain his criteria around this issue? It is not seen too clearly. However, it gives the feeling that everything is on track for it.