MIAMI — Inter Miami fans on Thursday got the news they had been anticipating for months: Lionel Messi signed a new contract through 2028 and will finish his storied career in a pink No. 10 uniform.

The club announced the news with a video showing Messi in a suit signing a contract on the dirt field at the under construction Miami Freedom Park stadium. The news could not have come at a better time, as Inter Miami kicks off the MLS playoffs on Friday at home against Nashville SC in the first game of a best-of-3 series.

The 38-year-old Argentine icon has had an immeasurable impact on MLS on and off the field since his arrival in July 2023.

The announcement comes five months before the scheduled opening of Miami Freedom Park Stadium, which is under construction at the site of the former Melreese Golf Course near Miami International Airport. Shortly after the video was posted, Inter Miami posted a reminder for fans to secure their 2026 tickets.

“It makes me really happy to stay here and to continue with this project that, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality — playing in this stadium, at Miami Freedom Park. Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here,” Messi said in a club news release.

“We’re all really excited about the moment when we can finally play at Miami Freedom Park. We can’t wait for it to be finished — to experience it from the inside, in our new home, and for the fans to enjoy it as well. It’s going to be something very special to play at home in such a spectacular stadium.”

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, joined Inter Miami in July 2023, and his current contract was due to expire at the end of this season. His salary was $20.45 million this season, and the total value of his initial contract was $130 million to $150 million, which includes equity in the club upon the completion of his playing days.

The World Cup champion has had a massive impact on the club and Major League Soccer. He clinched the Golden Boot trophy with 29 goals in 28 MLS games this season and also is co-league leader with 19 assists.

Last season he was named league MVP after leading Miami to a record-breaking regular season, and he is expected to be voted MVP again this year, becoming the first player in league history to win the award in back-to-back seasons.

Inter Miami’s valuation has more than doubled since Messi’s arrival, according to Sportico, climbing to $1.19 billion as of January 2025 — up from an estimated $600 million in mid-2023 — making it one of the most valuable clubs in MLS. In February, Forbes listed the team valuation at $1.2 billion and ranked Inter Miami as one of the world’s most valuable soccer teams.

Messi and Inter Miami continue to draw huge crowds. Numerous clubs have set MLS match attendance records against Messi and Inter Miami including: Sporting Kansas City: 72,610 (Arrowhead Stadium on April 13, 2024), New England Revolution: 65,612 (Gillette Stadium on April 27, 2024), Chicago Fire FC: 62,358 (Solider Field on April 13, 2025).

His presence has also been felt on social media. Before Messi joined the team, Inter Miami had 1 million Instagram followers. The club now has 17.9 million, more than all U.S. pro sports teams except the Golden State Warriors (32.5 million) and L.A. Lakers (25.1 million).

“When Lionel Messi made MLS his League of choice, it marked a turning point, not just for Inter Miami, but for our entire sport in North America,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said in a prepared statement Thursday. “Since then, we’ve witnessed something truly historic: the greatest player of all time bringing global attention to our league. We’re thrilled that Leo has chosen to stay and continue his career with Inter Miami.”

Off the field, Messi has proven to be an unprecedented asset as his global popularity continues to grow while he expands his brand in the United States.

Before Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami generated revenue of $50 million to $60 million in 2022, according to the club. It exploded to $120 million to $130 million in 2023. MLS attendance, ticket prices for Inter Miami home and road matches, sponsorship deals and merchandise sales have all seen unprecedented growth since Messi joined the league.

Since joining MLS, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami jersey has not only led league sales for three years in a row, it set the highest single-day jersey sales record across all major North American sports and remains adidas’ top-selling jersey globally.

Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas and co-owner David Beckham were both clearly delighted with the news of Messi’s new contract.

“We promised our fans that we would dream big to build an iconic club. A club that represents the passion, hard work and dedication of all those that came before us to create a Miami built on dreams,” Mas said. “Leo signing through 2028 is an ode to our amazing city. We very much look forward to writing new chapters at our stadium at Miami Freedom Park. Together we will continue building and dreaming.”

Beckham, who has been at the team training facility all week, added: “Our vision was to bring the best players to Inter Miami and to this city, and that’s exactly what we have done. We brought the best player to have ever played the game to our city. That shows our commitment to Miami, but it also shows Leo’s commitment to the city, to the club, and to the game. He’s still as committed as he’s ever been, and he still wants to win. As owners, to have a player that loves the game as much as he does, and who has done as much for the game in this country and to inspire the next generation of young talent as he has, we feel very lucky.”

Messi’s influence on MLS and Inter Miami has been the topic of conversation since his arrival.

“I lived through the David Beckham years, and there’s the tangible results that he brought, the same with Messi,” said former U.S. great Landon Donovan, now with Fox Sports. “But then there’s the anecdotal, there’s just a buzz around MLS because Messi is here. There’s a buzz around the country because a player of his stature, who many would argue is possibly the best player that’s ever played the game, and he’s playing here in America, in a league that for decades people have frowned upon and looked down upon.

“We feel it everywhere we go. My son, every morning, walks out with an Inter Miami Messi jersey, 8 years old, and he’s obsessed with him. And not just because he was playing at Barcelona and for Argentina. It’s because now he’s in Miami, and he thinks he has a chance to go see him.”

Alexi Lalas, another former U.S. national team player now a Fox Sports commentator, added: “Aside from the goals and the attention and actual money Messi has generated, I think the [MLS] credibility factor is huge, and that’s something that lasts well beyond his time.

“The more and more players that have an incredible platform, an incredible brand, and an incredible megaphone to be able to shout it to the world, `Yeah! It’s ok! You can make money. You can have a great lifestyle. You’re not going to suffer when it comes to the perception of you and your credibility from a national team perspective.’ I hope he has many, many more years here, but I think that can last going forward, and you will see residual impact.”

During the Club World Cup in July, Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany was asked about Messi. He said: “Inter Miami they have a special, special player there. I think he’s my age. I don’t know how he still does it. We are still watching these games and I think we have to cherish every moment Messi’s on the pitch.”

MLS coaches have also raved about Messi.

Former New England Revolution coach Caleb Porter said earlier this season: “Guy’s a beast. Just look at the fact that he plays every game in the Club World Cup, comes back from there, and you think, `Oh, maybe he takes a break one of these games.’ I’m sure he’s going into the manager’s door and saying, `I’m playing. I don’t want a break.’

Many players would say, `Yeah, take a break here’ or `bring me off the bench this next game’. And this guy, I’m sure once he heard it was going to be a big crowd, he wanted to put on a show.”

“I’ve said it a million times. Messi’s the best ever in my opinion, not even close. I’ve seen it firsthand now three games in this league and it’s unbelievable that he continues to show up, every single game after game after game, three days in between, again and again and again. It’s why he’s the best ever. That’s why.”

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