MIAMI, 24 October (H.S.): Global football superstar Lionel Messi has committed his future to Inter Miami, signing a new three-year contract extension that secures his place in Major League Soccer through the 2028 season. The club confirmed the landmark agreement on Friday, strategically announced just a day ahead of Miami’s playoff opener.
Inter Miami, which finished third in the Eastern Conference, is scheduled to host Nashville on Friday evening for the first game of their best-of-three series.It is a great joy for me to continue building this project, which has transformed from a dream into a beautiful reality, Messi said in a statement.
I have been incredibly happy since I arrived in Miami, and I am excited to continue this journey.The decision is being hailed as a pivotal moment not just for the club but for the continued growth of the entire league. This new deal will see Messi playing at the club’s future home, Miami Freedom Park.Messi’s on-field brilliance has continued unabated.
After being named the MLS Most Valuable Player last season, he is a strong contender to win the award again this year. Securing the honor for a second time would make him only the second player in league history to do so, and the first to achieve it in consecutive seasons.
It’s wonderful to watch Messi play and enjoy himself, said Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano. He is an extremely competitive player who inspires the entire team. When we execute correctly on the field, our chances of success increase automatically.
The 38-year-old Argentine leads the league with 29 goals this season, five more than his closest competitors. He has also tallied 19 assists, bringing his total goal contributions to 48—just one shy of the all-time MLS single-season record. This season, he also became the first player in league history to score more than one goal in five consecutive games.
This contract is widely expected to be the final one of Messi’s decorated professional career, which began with his Barcelona debut in 2004. Since joining Inter Miami after winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, he has scored 71 goals and provided 27 assists in 82 appearances, leading the club to both a Leagues Cup title and an MLS Supporters’ Shield.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
