Lionel Messi confirms his validity until age 41

Confirmed: Lionel Messi will remain an active player until at least 41 years old, after renewing his contract with Inter Miami until 2028.

The American team announced the news ahead of its participation in the 2025 MLS playoffs, where it will face Nashville in the first round.

"Our vision was to bring the best players to the team and to this city. That's exactly what we've achieved," said David Beckham , co-owner of Inter Miami, in the official statement released on October 23.

“We brought the best player in history to our city. That demonstrates our commitment to Miami, but also Leo's commitment to the city, the club, and soccer. He remains as committed as ever and eager to win.”

Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, aged 36, after having excelled in Europe's elite with Barcelona (his training club) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). He was also fresh off a World Cup win in Qatar in 2022 with Argentina.

According to various reports, his initial contract was for two seasons and between $130 and $150 million. The 2025 MLS Salary Guide revealed he earned $20.44 million in the 2025 season, making him the highest-paid player in the entire American league.

The statement regarding his renewal doesn't specify financial figures, only that his role will continue to be key in building the identity of a team that began competing in 2020.

“Leo's signing through 2028 is a tribute to our incredible city. We're eager to write new chapters at our home stadium, Miami Freedom Park. Together, we'll continue building and dreaming,” said Jorge Mas, team owner and general manager.

Inter Miami will reach a new milestone in its history in 2026 with the opening of Freedom Park . The stadium, with an estimated investment of $1 billion, will have 58 hectares (135 acres) that will house restaurants, shops, and even a technology center.

Messi is the media anchor for that transition, after other major figures who recently joined the team, such as Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba (Messi's former teammates at Barcelona), announced their retirement by the end of the 2025 season.

This way, the Argentine will guarantee at least 24 years as an active player. He debuted with Barcelona 's first team in October 2004 and remained there until 2021. He left as a free agent for PSG for two seasons before emigrating to the United States.

“I'm very happy to stay and continue with this project, which, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality: playing at Miami Freedom Park. Since I arrived in Miami, I've been very happy, so I'm very happy to be here. We're looking forward to the stadium being finished so we can experience it from the inside and for the fans to enjoy it too,” Messi said in his renewal announcement.

Cristiano Ronaldo, a contemporary of Lionel Messi in world football, remains active with Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia at 40 years old and this summer also finalized a two-year contract renewal (until 2027).

Both are expected to compete in their last World Cup in 2026, in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. This would make them the players with the most appearances in the tournament's history, reaching six since their debut in Germany 2006. Argentina has already secured a spot, and Portugal hopes to do so during the next FIFA World Cup in November.

The Argentine currently has 46 titles under his belt, including four Champions League titles and three Club World Cup titles. With Argentina, in addition to the 2022 World Cup, he won a gold medal at the Olympic Games in 2008 and the Copa América in 2021.

With Inter Miami, he has accumulated 71 goals and 44 assists in 82 matches, making him the all-time scoring leader.

Off the court, his presence has boosted the team's revenue from $50 million to $60 million in 2022 to $120 million to $130 million in 2023; it has also made them the third-most followed on Instagram among all U.S. professional leagues with 17.9 million followers, behind only the Golden State Warriors (32.5 million) and the Los Angeles Lakers (25.1 million), according to the Miami Herald.

In the coming days, Messi will try to secure Inter Miami 's first MLS league title, which would mark a farewell for the squad that includes Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez.