Anticipation builds around Lionel Messi’s potential three-year contract extension with MLS club Inter Miami, a significant development that could see the legendary Argentine forward continue his illustrious career well into his early forties under the stewardship of David Beckham’s franchise.

Having initially arrived in South Florida in the summer of 2023 on a two-and-a-half-year deal following a challenging stint with Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, speculation surrounding Messi’s long-term commitment has been a pervasive topic throughout the 2025 season, particularly as his current contract nears its conclusion.

The impending announcement of this new multi-year agreement is expected to include crucial provisions. One primary caveat reportedly allows the 38-year-old to opt out of the remainder of his Inter Miami contract following Argentina’s defense of their World Cup title next summer, an event slated to take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, highlighting its immense importance to Messi.

Furthermore, should the iconic forward choose to remain with the Herons beyond the World Cup, the Inter Miami organization itself will possess the flexibility to opt out of the final year of his deal in 2027, providing both parties with strategic options as his career progresses.

Such an extension would notably ensure Messi’s presence on the Inter Miami roster when the team makes its historic debut at Miami Freedom Park, its first permanent home stadium, in the spring of 2026. This would allow him to be a central figure in a new era for the club, potentially playing past his 41st birthday.

Messi’s on-field performance for Inter Miami has been nothing short of imperious recently, boasting an impressive tally of 24 goals and 10 assists across 30 appearances in all competitions. His consistent scoring prowess includes five braces in his last six MLS matches, underscoring his continued dominance.

Most recently, the superstar demonstrated his playmaking abilities by assisting both of Inter Miami’s goals in their 2-1 Leagues Cup opening victory against LigaMX side Atlas. This match also marked the debut of his longtime Argentina teammate, Rodrigo De Paul, often dubbed Messi’s “bodyguard,” who joined Javier Mascherano’s squad on loan from Atletico Madrid.

De Paul’s temporary move to Inter Miami is set to last through the remainder of the current season, with reports indicating the Herons invested $1.5 million for his services, reinforcing the club’s commitment to building a formidable team around their marquee player, Lionel Messi.

The future of another former Barcelona stalwart, Luis Suarez, also remains a topic of considerable interest, as the Uruguayan striker is likewise poised to enter free agency after the conclusion of the 2025 MLS season, prompting further questions about Inter Miami’s evolving roster dynamics.