Inter Miami Confident of Extending Messi Deal Amid Saudi Arabia Interest | OneFootball

Lionel Messi Transfer Watch: Inter Miami’s Gamble on a Legend’s Legacy

Summer Storm Brewing Around Messi’s Future

Lionel Messi’s name may no longer dominate Champions League nights, but his shadow still looms large across world football. At 38, and still orchestrating matches with wizard-like ease, the Argentinian legend is again at the heart of transfer speculation. As revealed in the sixth edition of The Athletic’s Transfer DealSheet, Saudi interest is intensifying, while Inter Miami push hard to retain their crown jewel, highlighted by David Ornstein in The Athletic.

The timing is delicate. Messi’s current deal with Inter Miami, signed in July 2023, is set to expire at the end of 2025. “There is a strong push from Saudi Arabia for Messi, with AFC Champions League winners Al-Ahli pursuing the Argentina legend.” But in South Florida, the belief remains firm. “Inter Miami are extremely confident they are going to retain him.”

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Inter Miami’s Calculated Confidence

That confidence is rooted in more than just sentiment. The Athletic reported back in April that the MLS franchise were “close to an agreement, which would see the playmaker lead his team into their new Freedom Park stadium in 2026.” That symbolic moment is too significant for both club and player to ignore. Miami’s ownership have invested heavily in brand power and infrastructure, and Messi is central to both.

Still, football rarely moves in straight lines. The article makes it clear: “Until the ink is dry, Miami will take nothing for granted.” The arrival of Saudi investment has changed the tone and scale of contract negotiations worldwide, and not even the GOAT is immune to those dynamics.

On-Pitch Brilliance Still Unmatched

Critics who lazily tag Messi’s MLS move as semi-retirement should reconsider. He returned to domestic action with a vengeance last weekend, leading Inter Miami to a 4-1 win at Montreal, scoring twice and assisting once. Even as age catches up, quality refuses to fade.

The Athletic provided context that reinforces just how dominant Messi remains in the MLS. “Since arriving in 2023, he’s scored 34 goals in 42 league games, with an MLS-high goals per 90 rate of 0.92.” The analytics chart they provided places Messi far beyond his peers in both chance creation (xA) and goal threat (xG).

Physical Fragility A Growing Concern

However, there is a caveat, and it’s a significant one. “Last season, he played less than half of the possible league minutes, the first time he’s done so since his teenage years at Barcelona in 2005-06.” For all his enduring quality, Messi’s availability might shape where he plays next more than any contract detail.

Clubs like Al-Ahli can afford to take risks, especially when driven by brand value and exposure. Inter Miami’s reliance on Messi, however, is both commercial and competitive. That makes any extended absence a structural threat.

Final Whistle or New Chapter?

This summer may not see Lionel Messi leave Miami, but it will likely define what remains of his elite career. Whether lifting a trophy in Saudi Arabia or christening a stadium in Miami, the story remains compelling. One certainty? Everyone is still watching.

Our View – EPL Index: Excited Football Fan Reaction

From an excited football fan’s perspective, this report is electric. The fact that Lionel Messi is still dictating football headlines at 38 is incredible in itself. But more than that, it’s a rare treat to witness a transfer saga where emotion, legacy and money all intersect so powerfully.

Fans of European football might be secretly rooting for one last Messi appearance on the biggest stage, even if it’s not likely. A Champions League cameo, perhaps? A coaching transition in Spain? The whispers will continue as long as his boots stay laced.

That said, Inter Miami’s vision is commendable. Messi walking out at their new Freedom Park stadium in 2026 is pure theatre. It feels right. It feels poetic. And if he’s still scoring at nearly one goal per game, who dares question it?

Yet there’s a cautionary tone too. If injuries persist, Saudi Arabia could become the path of least resistance. Fans, especially those watching from afar, will hope Messi’s final chapter reflects his genius, not just his marketability.