Lionel Messi hasn’t said for sure if he’ll be at the 2026 World Cup, but one thing seems just about wrapped up: his contract renewal with Inter Miami. ESPN reports that only a few formal steps are left, and they hinge on Major League Soccer’s approval. That essentially shuts down the chatter that Messi might head to a tougher league to keep himself sharp for the tournament.
Messi chose stability over chasing something new
People have been debating nonstop whether Messi would go back to Europe to test himself before the World Cup. But the truth is, the No. 10 looks like he’s found more than just a pit stop in South Florida. Since arriving in 2023, he’s played 75 matches, racked up 62 goals and 30 assists, making Inter Miami the second club where he’s scored the most, even ahead of his PSG stint.
This season backs that up even more. In 36 games, he’s already bagged 28 goals and 12 assists. Just this past Monday, in the 3-1 win over the Seattle Sounders, he had his fingerprints all over the result,scoring once and slipping a decisive pass to Jordi Alba for another. On the pitch, Messi proves time and again that the “weak league” tag doesn’t stop him from running the show. Off it, sticking around in the U.S. clearly has its perks: a family settled in, a less punishing schedule, and a market that treats him like royalty.
The impact on MLS and the road to the World Cup
Messi staying keeps the spotlight firmly on MLS, attention it likely wouldn’t have without him, not since David Beckham came over back in 2007. The difference is obvious. Beckham was a superstar, sure, but he was winding down. Messi, even at 38, is still putting up elite numbers.
The league thrives off that. Every Messi game draws global eyes, every goal is basically a free marketing campaign. And with the 2026 World Cup coming to the USA, Canada, and Mexico, the timing couldn’t be better. For MLS bosses, having Messi around is the ultimate sales pitch. And if he does decide to play in the tournament, the storyline only gets bigger: the greatest player of his era using MLS as the stage to prepare for what could be his last dance.