Lionel Messi went to look at some soccer on Friday. He did not say a phrase about his personal future.
The Inter Miami star — who’s closing in on a contract extension that may maintain him along with his Main League Soccer membership by way of not less than the 2026 season and sure past — confirmed as much as watch the worldwide finals of the 1v1 soccer event that he helped create and is sponsored by a hydration drink that he co-founded.
His look got here days after he and Inter Miami closed in on an extension, one which the perimeters have been engaged on for months and would guarantee him of being with the membership when it plans to open its new stadium close to Miami Worldwide Airport subsequent yr.
Messi watched each the boys’s and ladies’s semifinals after which the finals of his occasion. He greeted the winners on stage and signed autographs for followers, even taking a big group selfie with your complete crowd on the finish.
However there have been no hints in regards to the contract — he didn’t deal with reporters — and no information was coming from his workforce on Friday, both.
“I hope it occurs quickly, as a result of I believe it’s nice information not just for the membership however for MLS typically, proper?” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano mentioned earlier Friday on the workforce’s coaching base in Fort Lauderdale, when requested in regards to the extension.
“I don’t assume it’s only for the workforce,” Mascherano mentioned. “Clearly, for the workforce, for the membership, for the historical past of this membership, it’s one thing distinctive. However I believe for soccer typically in the USA, it might be very, crucial information. They might have the most effective participant who has ever performed this sport right here for some time longer.”
[MORE: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami Near Deal To Extend Contract Through at Least 2026]
Messi captained Argentina to the World Cup title in 2022 and has been a part of qualifying matches with the workforce — however has not formally mentioned that he’ll play within the event relating to the U.S., Canada and Mexico subsequent yr.
The 38-year-old Messi has 20 targets — second most within the league — and 11 assists in MLS play this season.
He joined Inter Miami in July 2023 on a two-and-a-half-year contract, one which was price an estimated $150 million on the time. Messi was MLS’ MVP final season, even in a yr when he missed 15 of Inter Miami’s 34 regular-season matches with accidents or nationwide workforce commitments.
He has helped the workforce win its first two trophies, the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters’ Protect for having the most effective report in MLS final season.
[MORE: Lionel Messi Joins Elite MLS Company With His Latest Scoring Feat]
Messi and Inter Miami will play D.C. United on Saturday. Miami opens the weekend sixth within the Jap Convention, eight factors behind first-place Philadelphia — however with three matches in hand on the convention leaders and nonetheless within the race for one of many prime playoff seeds in addition to the Supporters’ Protect.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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