CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 15: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after scoring a goal in the first half during the Leagues Cup 2023 semifinals match between Inter Miami CF and Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on August 15, 2023 in Chester, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi had quite the week.
After securing the MLS Golden Boot last Saturday – finishing with 29 goals in 28 regular-season games – the Inter Miami forward signed a contract extension on Thursday with the club through 2028, guaranteeing his place in South Florida for three additional years.
The Argentine wasn’t done: in Game 1 in a best-of-three first round of the MLS Cup playoffs against Nashville SC, Messi netted a brace to help his team win 3-1 on Friday night.
Less than 36 hours prior to kickoff, the club announced the new deal in a statement where Messi signed the contract on the construction site of Miami Freedom Park, the team’s new stadium that’s expected to be unveiled next season.
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“Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here,” Messi said in the press release.
“We can’t wait for (Miami Freedom Park) to be finished – to experience it from the inside, in our new home, and for the fans to enjoy it as well. It’s going to be something very special to play at home in such a spectacular stadium.”
The contract extension could potentially increase Messi’s chance of playing in the 2026 World Cup with Argentina, a competition where the former champion hasn’t fully committed to.
The forward is showing no signs of slowing down since he arrived in South Florida in the summer of 2023. Messi is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer with 71 goals in all competitions. In addition to the scoring, the Argentine has tallied 37 assists in 82 games.
Messi and co will be looking to avenge last season’s shock first-round exit to Atlanta United. The team faces Nashville in Game 2 on Saturday night in Tennessee, with a victory guaranteeing a spot in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
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