Lionel Messi has said he “feels great” at Inter Miami and wants to win more titles with the club while helping the MLS grow in the US.
In an interview hinting that the Miami captain could extend his deal beyond the end of the 2025 season in December, Messi explained why he “felt called” to join The Herons in July 2023 following less than two years with French giants Paris St-Germain.
“I always had it in my mind to play in the MLS,” the Argentina skipper told Apple Music. “I said more than once that it attracted me and was something I wanted to do.
“I felt called to Inter because it’s a club that’s growing and very new. I don’t regret it – quite the opposite. I feel great; I am enjoying where I am, what I do, daily training, the games, my friends, my family.”
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Lionel Messi: MLS ‘very dynamic’
Formed by a group including former England captain David Beckham in 2018, Miami made Messi one of the most high-profile MLS signings of all time and won their first trophy with his help by triumphing in the 2023 Leagues Cup.
In his first full campaign with the club, Messi averaged an MLS-record 2.18 goal contributions per 90 minutes in 2024 to help Miami win their first Supporters’ Shield with an MLS single-season record 74 points.
Barcelona’s all-time top scorer left the Spanish team for PSG in 2021 because his boyhood club could not give him a new contract under squad wage rules in Spain.
“Coming to play for Inter Miami was an opportunity and the way things developed in Paris – although I had to go because I had to leave Barcelona – those years were not enjoyable for me,” reflected Messi.
“[The MLS] has a very dynamic type of play – very physical, with a lot of young players who are physically strong. All the teams want to score and play an attacking game.”
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Messi transfer: ‘I feel very happy’
Messi was named the Most Valuable Player in last season’s MLS after scoring 20 times and setting up 16 goals across 19 appearances, although his side fell at the first hurdle in the play-offs courtesy of a 3-2 home defeat against Atlanta United, who finished 34 points and eight positions below them in the regular campaign.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is routinely linked to a move away from the MLS, which is regarded as a weaker division than the major European top flights.
“I honestly feel happy living day by day,” said Messi. “I don’t get ahead of myself; I simply enjoy and live what comes my way today.
“I enjoy going to Argentina – perhaps a lot more than I did when I was young [and wasn’t] aware of a lot of things. I honestly feel very happy.”
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Lionel Messi contract, salary
Messi remains the most high-profile player in the world alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and has an optional extra year in his Miami contract.
Speaking to Marca after Messi’s arrival was first announced, Miami co-owner Jorge Mas said the four-time Champions League winner would earn up to $60 million a year.
Messi’s purported playing salary of up to $20.4m is considerably more than any other player in the US and is heftily increased by holding equity in the club and payments from league broadcasters Apple.
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Miami’s play-offs exit was a blow for the MLS and Apple, with Messi by far their most marketable star and viewing figures boosted hugely when the World Cup winner plays.
Messi scored once in each leg as Miami started the 2025 season with a 4-1 aggregate win over Sporting Kansas City in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
In between, the 37-year-old produced two assists in his side’s MLS season opener, when a 100th-minute Telasco Segovia goal earned manager Javier Mascherano a 2-2 draw with his team reduced to 10 men in his first league game.
