Inter Miami Reportedly 'Extremely Confident' Lionel Messi Will Sign Contract Extension

Inter Miami reportedly believe they are trending toward a contract extension with Lionel Messi in the not-too-distant future.

According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, Inter Miami are "extremely confident" they will be able to re-sign Messi and "hopeful of announcing an extension any time now."

If an agreement is reached between the two sides, it will be consistent with a previous report from The Athletic in April that stated Miami were "close" to a deal with Messi that would see him remain with the club through at least the 2026 season, which is when they begin play at their new Freedom Park stadium.

While Miami reportedly aren't overly concerned about Messi leaving once his current contract expires at the end of 2025, they could have some competition for his services.

Per Ornstein, Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli are making a "strong push" to convince Messi to sign with them.

Just two years after winning the Saudi First Division League title to earn promotion back up to the Saudi Pro League, Al-Ahli won the AFC Champions League Elite title this year.

Like fellow soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Al Hilal, Messi had a chance to sign with a Saudi team when his Paris Saint-Germain deal expired in 2023, but he decided to come to the United States and play for Miami instead.

Even at the age of 38, Messi has remained highly productive during his time in MLS, scoring 11 goals in 14 matches across all competitions in 2023, 23 goals in 25 matches last season and 18 goals in 25 matches this season.

Miami have performed below expectation as a team so far this season, sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, but last season they set an MLS single-season points record with 74.

Still, Miami are in search of their first MLS title, and Messi sticking around past this season undoubtedly improves their chances of making that a reality.

Messi remaining in the fold would be huge for ticket sales and overall fan interest at the new stadium in 2026 as well, so it is safe to assume that getting a new contract in place for the Argentinian superstar is Miami's No. 1 priority.