Inter Miami hope to keep Lionel Messi but face shock competition

Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami is set to expire in December 2025, but co-owners Jorge Mas and David Beckham have expressed their desire to keep the Argentine star, who starred in the Concacaf Champions Cup victory over Sporting Kansas City. However, it has been claimed he hopes to finish his career back where it started: Barcelona.

Messi leads Concacaf Champions Cup charge

The Herons comfortably defeated Sporting KC in the first round of the competition with a 4-1 aggregate score, advancing to the round of 16. Messi opened the scoring in the 3-1 second leg victory at Chase Stadium. The victory keeps their dreams of winning a new title alive, with the 37-year-old expected to spearhead their challenge.

To date, Inter Miami have “only” won the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, leaving the Concacaf Champions Cup and the MLS Cup as major goals still to be achieved, while the FIFA Club World Cup is also on the horizon in the summer.

The club have targeted winning both this year, although they are also hoping they will be able to call upon the services of Messi beyond that.

Inter Miami “confident” of Messi stay

Jorge Mas, co-owner of the Florida-based club, is optimistic about having Messi on the roster until 2026, when the club’s new stadium is set to open.

In December 2024, Mas spoke enthusiastically about renewing Messi’s contract: “I am very confident that he will be here to open our new stadium in 2026. I will sit down with Leo at some point during the offseason. I am optimistic that, as long as Leo stays healthy, we will see him in pink.”

The MLS is also expected to support the club in keeping the Argentine star as one of the faces of the league leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Messi linked with Barcelona return

Inter Miami’s performance against Sporting KC could provide more reassurance to their fans amid recent rumors of Messi’s potential return to Barcelona. According to journalist Alex Candal, Messi wants to finish his career at the Catalan club, and the move could happen as early as this summer.

Original article written by Karina Ponce, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Roddy Cons.

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