What we’re hearing on Lionel Messi’s future: Inter Miami contract talks, links to Argentina and the 2026 World Cup

An Argentine family takes photos with a mural of Lionel Messi that is displayed outside of Fiorito, an Argentine restaurant in the Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami, Fla., July 12, 2024. Messi has been in the United States for two years with Inter Miami, thousands of miles away from his home country, Argentina, where a media frenzy that tracked his every move was often toxic up until 2022, when he led his nation to glory in the World Cup. (Scott McIntyre/The New York Times)

By Felipe Cardenas / The Athletic

The world that surrounds Lionel Messi is one that is filled with speculation — certainly nothing new for a superstar athlete of his caliber.

Messi has been in the United States for two years with Inter Miami, thousands of miles away from his home country, Argentina, where a media frenzy that tracked his every move was often toxic up until 2022. After Messi led his nation to World Cup glory in Qatar that year, the reporting became much friendlier, but that has not stopped many in his homeland from guessing how his final years as a professional soccer player might unfold.

Within 24 hours of Miami’s elimination from the Club World Cup, Messi’s future with his MLS club became a talking point. Pundits in Argentina hypothesized that the 38-year-old Messi would consider leaving MLS for a more competitive league. And according to at least one report, contract negotiations between Messi and Miami had stalled.

It is true that Messi’s Miami contract expires at the end of 2025 and that he has not yet signed a renewal. But he is still expected to extend his stay in MLS at least through 2026, according to a person close to the player, speaking anonymously to protect relationships.

In Messi’s world, though, it does not take much to stir the pot.

Even before the Club World Cup, and after Miami had conceded 15 goals in five matches in May, Argentine columnist and broadcaster Ariel Senosiain described Messi’s club as “a franchise that does not even remotely do justice to his unparalleled career.”

Senosiain’s theory was that Messi’s competitive streak, which at times in 2025 has looked more like displeasure, is a result of “the lack of excellence around him,” which in turn has affected his mentality within a less competitive environment. Senosiain pondered whether the Argentina manager, Lionel Scaloni, was growing concerned about Messi’s situation inside a Miami dressing room that is “cold” compared with the family-like setting of the current world champions.

Other reporters in Argentina suggested that Newell’s Old Boys, Messi’s boyhood club, would be the player’s preferred destination. But Newell’s finished ninth in the latest Apertura tournament after finishing 25th in the final Primera División standings in 2024. That is hardly a more competitive environment, given that Miami has won a trophy or competed among the best teams in MLS since Messi’s arrival.

Furthermore, the quality of Argentina’s first division has waned considerably over the past decade. Brazilian clubs are the powerhouses in South America, as evidenced during this Club World Cup. Palmeiras and Fluminense advanced to the quarterfinals, while Boca Juniors and River Plate, Argentina’s biggest clubs, crashed out in the group phase.

Argentine soccer is still among the most passionate, stress-filled competitions in the world. That alone can raise the level of play. But why would Messi, who played at the top level of the sport for nearly two decades, consider leaving the comforts he enjoys in South Florida for a midtable club that has not won a trophy since 2013?

It may pain Argentines and especially Newell’s supporters to hear this, but for now, Messi’s club loyalties are set in pink and black.

And what about those pining for his return to Barcelona? A possible reunion with the Catalan club gained internet steam last week, too, but that scenario is even more unlikely.

Messi has clashed with MLS referees and opponents, and he has looked irritated with Miami’s struggles in 2025. Even so, by not re-signing yet, it is more likely that Messi is playing the long game and seeking to establish even more leverage over his current employer rather than genuinely eyeing an exit. It is a basic negotiation tactic.

Last week, the person within Messi’s inner circle told The Athletic that the Miami captain “knows perfectly well what the goals, motivations and also the challenges of coming to Miami are.”

That same person relayed that Messi understood that Miami is “a young club, that it’s a new project, and Messi is there to contribute and to help.”

It certainly appears that Messi has settled nicely in Florida. He has been seen at the Miami academy matches of his sons Thiago and Ciro, beaming with pride alongside his wife, Antonella. He is gracious when local residents see him at a stoplight. He recently paused to sign a jersey for a star-struck fan outside Miami’s training facility. In other words, life is good for the Messi family.

His old club Paris St.-Germain delivered a healthy dose of reality on the field with a 4-0 drubbing in Atlanta, but the fact that Miami was even in the second phase of the Club World Cup was a bit surprising.

In the inaugural match of the competition, Miami struggled against Egyptian champion Al Ahly. The game ended 0-0, and after he tangled with opposing players physically and verbally, Messi was clearly annoyed as he trudged off the field. A win against Porto changed everything for Miami, though: Messi’s free-kick goal led to a 2-1 victory, the first time that an MLS side had defeated a European club in an official competition.

Miami then nearly defeated Palmeiras, which would have sent the club to the top of Group A. But Palmeiras stormed back from 2-0 down to force a draw, and Messi stood at the center circle after the final whistle, ruing what could have been.

Now Miami is shifting its focus back to the MLS regular season and a potential title run. It must have been quite the change to go from facing PSG to setting up a tactical plan to defeat CF Montreal.

And still, Messi remains locked in contract negotiations with Inter Miami over a deal that would keep him in Miami colors through the 2026 World Cup and the opening of the Miami Freedom Park stadium.

“The stars are aligning for something great, for a beautiful future for the club and for Lionel. It’s solely his decision,” Jorge Mas told FDP Radio in April. “I expect that within 60 to 90 days, we’ll have to determine all of this. My hope has always been — and everything we’re doing — is to see Messi play at our new stadium in 2026. Hopefully, that happens.”