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.”

A faithful friend and teammate of Inter Miami is wishing Lionel Messi strength and peace of mind because he knows what he can give. Rivals in the past, but colleagues on the same team for MLS 2025, this brother for life gave his opinion on Messi's ultimate dream for the future.

Lionel Messi is out of contract with Inter Miami at the end of the 2025 MLS season and the Argentina icon has reportedly already decided where he will go next

For Inter Miami, their back-to-back season absence Open Cup comes as a result of their focus on the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, a tournament they secured a spot in after winning the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield with a record-breaking regular season performance.

Lionel Messi, who has led Miami to League Cup and Supporters Shield victory since his arrival in 2023, has one year left on his contract.

Inter Miami may have only been back in preseason play for about five days or so but Lionel Messi didn't need long to score his first goal of 2025 facing Club America in Las Vegas or to show off a unique celebration.

Meanwhile, forward Fafa Picault, one of the new players in Inter Miami camp, is feeling at home. The 33-year-old Haitian American spent his teen years in Cutler Bay, where his family still lives. He attended Miami Killian High School and played for local youth clubs and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers before heading overseas.

Messi faced plenty of backlash from those in Mexico after mocking their lack of World Cup success compared to Argentina's decorated history. Notably, former "El Tri" international Adolfo "Bofo" Bautista called out the Argentinian for a "lack of professionalism and education."