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Lionel Messi 'makes crucial decision' over Inter Miami future following Luis Suarez's contract extension

World Cup hint? Messi 'makes crucial decision' over Inter Miami future
© Imago
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi reportedly makes a decision over whether to sign a new contract, offering a hint to his potential involvement at the 2026 World Cup.

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi has reportedly indicated the he wants to sign a new deal with the MLS franchise.

The Herons have experienced a busy week, having recruited a new head coach and secured the future of one of their star players.

Inter Miami unveiled Messi's former teammate Javier Mascherano as their new coach following the resignation of Tata Martino.

The MLS club then announced the big news that Luis Suarez had penned a new deal to keep him at Chase Stadium for the 2025 season.

 Lionel Messi of Inter Miami pictured on November 2, 2024© Imago

Messi 'enthuastic' over potential new Inter Miami contract

Inter Miami are seemingly set to turn their focus to tying Messi down to a new deal, with his current contract set to expire at the end of next year.

According to TyC Sports, Messi is 'enthusiastic about the project' in Inter Miami and is keen to sign a new deal with the MLS club.

The report claims that the two parties are yet to hold talks over a new deal, but there is an expectation that negotiations will be relatively smooth once they begin.

Messi and his family have settled in the Miami area and are seemingly keen to stay in the USA beyond the end of 2025, while the Herons want to retain the services of arguably the best player of all time.

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi on October 5, 2024© Imago

What Messi's potential new contract means for World Cup hopes

Messi's willingness to sign a new deal with Inter Miami offers a hint that he plans to represent Argentina at the 2026 World Cup.

There is a belief that the potential contract would keep Messi at Inter Miami until December 2026 - five months after the World Cup is held in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Messi is currently enjoying a break after completing his playing commitments in a year where he won the Copa America and the MLS Supporters' Shield.

However, the year ultimately ended in disappointment as Inter Miami suffered a surprise exit in the first round of the MLS playoffs following a 2-1 series defeat to Atalanta United.

Messi will want to lead Inter Miami to MLS glory in 2025, while he will also be keen to experience an injury-free year after struggling with a few physical issues in 2024.

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Written by
Ben Sully

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Inter Miami's Luis Suarez celebrates with teammates on October 25, 2024
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1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
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5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
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1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


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