Lionel Messi’s next move after Inter Miami, according to a family friend
The Argentine’s current contract in Miami ends this year and his next destination is still up in the air.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami continue their 2025 preparations on Wednesday with a trip to Peru to take on Universitario.
The Herons romped to the Supporters' Shield title in 2024 but underwhelmed in the playoffs, bounced by Atlanta United in Round One. Major improvement is expected this year, in what could be Lionel Messi’s final season with the club.
The two-and-a-half-year contract signed by Lionel Messi in the summer of 2023 keeps him at the club until the end of 2025. Although he is thought to have an option to extend for another year, speculation about Messi’s future has already begun.
New year, same story. 😏
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 19, 2025
Suarez to Messi for the first @InterMiamiCF preseason goal of 2025. pic.twitter.com/NZZi0qTtiE
In an interview with La Nacion, a close family friend of Messi’s revealed where the family are likely to go next. The friend, Argentinian media personality Yanina Latorre, revealed that a return to Barcelona is on the cards.
“He told me that when he finishes here [in Miami], where he is happy, he will return to Barcelona,” she said. Latorre added that she had specifically asked about the prospect of staying in Miami. He reportedly replied: “No, my place is there.”
Will Lionel Messi stay at Inter Miami?
Although Latorre insisted that Messi’s future lies back in Spain, she wasn’t specific about when that big move could be. Although he has a contract break at the end of 2025, there’s one major ambition that may convince him to stay
Argentina will go to the 2026 World Cup as reigning champions and Messi is still an important member of Lionel Scaloni’s squad. Another year at Miami, through the 2026 season, would allow Messi to compete in one final tournament.
Speaking to ESPN recently, Inter Miami co-owner Joge Mas said that he believes that Messi will be lining up for the team in 2026. He explained: “Leo and I will sit and discuss the future. I fully expect that in the opening of our new stadium in 2026, Leo Messi will be our No. 10 after a trophy-laden 2025 season.”
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