Messi before his sixth World Cup: Will the superstar stay in Miami?

Messi before his sixth World Cup: Will the superstar stay in Miami?

Lionel Messi is about to turn 38 and continues to make headlines, especially with the upcoming 2026 World Cup in North America. Argentina, defending champions, will take part in next year's tournament but it is unclear whether Messi will be included. If he continues his career, he will be 39 years old during the tournament. The star player reported that he is open to his participation and does not want to put himself under pressure. He plans to evaluate his physical condition daily to decide whether he is ready for his sixth World Cup.

Last season, Messi led Inter Miami to first place in the Eastern Conference in Major League Soccer (MLS) with 20 goals and 10 assists. Despite these successes, the team was eliminated early from the playoffs, but the new season has started promisingly for Messi, with five goals in the first five games.

Contract extension in prospect

Messi's contract with Inter Miami expires in December 2025, but media reports indicate that both sides are seeking a contract extension. The 37-year-old has revealed he wants to stay fit in Miami, where he plays alongside former teammates such as Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. According to reports, negotiations over the contract extension are already “well advanced”, although not all details have been clarified yet.

Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas has expressed hope of seeing Messi play in 2026 at the new Miami Freedom Park stadium, part of a larger 131-hectare project. With 25,000 seats, this stadium will open for the 2026 season. It will also include a public park and entertainment and dining facilities. Messi could present the first MLS title in club history there, having already won the Leagues Cup and the Supporters' Shield.

Financial aspects and sporting success

Messi's contract is the most lucrative in MLS history. The base salary is $12 million annually, with total guaranteed compensation of $20,446,667. This salary significantly exceeds the payrolls of most other MLS teams and is over $5 million higher than that of the second highest-paid player. Additionally, Messi received a signing bonus and will receive shares in the club, bringing the total value of his contract to approximately $150 million.

Inter Miami's revenue has skyrocketed since Messi's arrival. In 2024, Messi earned an additional $79 million through partnerships with Adidas, Hard Rock International and Apple TV. The club's revenue increased from $50-60 million in 2022 to over $200 million in 2024, while the club's value increased by 72% to $1.03 billion. Messi's influence has also helped MLS achieve record attendance, sponsorship and digital media numbers in 2024.

The coming months could be crucial for Messi and the football world as the legendary player prepares for his potential sixth World Cup and his future at Inter Miami.

Collected information comes from oe24, [kicker] and [onefootball]