Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas provides update on Lionel Messi's contract extension
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has confirmed that he will soon initiate contract talks with Lionel Messi. He wants the Argentine icon to be with the MLS club when they move to the new stadium in 2026.
Speaking to the media at the Club World Cup draw, Mas said he was confident about Messi's desire to stay at the club. He added that they are optimistic about the Barcelona legend's fitness remaining the same in the next two seasons, saying (via talkSPORT):
"As I said before, I'm very confident that he'll be opening our new stadium in '26. I'll be sitting with Leo, you know, now at some point in the offseason. And I'm optimistic that as long as Leo's health holds up, that we'll be seeing him in pink."
When quizzed if the former PSG star had any role in the hiring of Javier Mascherano as the new coach, Mas said:
"I had a specific conversation with him. Leo gave me what I asked him, which was input. That was Leo's involvement and engagement with me, which (happens) frankly all the time."
Lionel Messi has led Inter Miami to two silverware in his time at the MLS club. He helped them win the Leagues Cup in 2023 and followed it up with the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2024.
Inter Miami will be my last club, confirms Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi spoke to ESPN Argentina earlier this year and confirmed that Inter Miami would be his last club. He added that retirement was close and there was no plan to switch clubs from now.
Speaking about his time on the pitch, Messi said:
"I've done this all of my life; I love playing ball. I enjoy the practices and the day-to-day, the games. Yeah, there's a bit of fear that it's all ending. It's always there. It was a difficult step leaving Europe to come here [Miami]. The fact we won the World Cup helped, it helped a lot, to see things in another way. But I try not to think about it. I try to enjoy it. I do that more now because I'm aware that there's not a lot of time left."
He added:
"So I have a good time with the club, being lucky having good teammates and friends at my side. I enjoy my time with the national team, where I also have good friends, too, and a lot. I enjoy those small details that I know I'll miss when I stop playing."
Lionel Messi has led Argentina to Copa America titles in back-to-back tournaments along with a FIFA World Cup medal in 2022.