Messi explains why he chose to stay at Inter Miami: "I’m happy living here" | OneFootball

The captain of the Argentine National Team extended his contract with the Herons until 2028.

Lionel Messi sealed his renewal with Inter Miami until 2028, after a dream night in which he scored a double in the 3-1 victory over Nashville in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Major League Soccer (MLS) Playoffs. Besides shining on the field, the captain of the Argentine National Team received the Golden Boot for being the top scorer in the regular phase of the American championship.

After the match, Messi explained the reasons for his decision and highlighted his happiness in the city: “I always said that I base it on how I am day by day and how I feel physically and mentally to continue playing and being part of this club. And the truth is that I felt very good throughout the year, I feel happy living in Miami, as does my family,” he expressed in an interview with NBC News.

A signature that marks a new era at Inter Miami

The contract extension was signed at the Miami Freedom Park Stadium, the modern venue that will be inaugurated in 2026. The club celebrated the continuity of the Argentine star as a milestone in the institution's history. “Signing Leo until 2028 is a tribute to our incredible city. We are eager to write new chapters in our stadium, the Miami Freedom Park,” stated Jorge Mas, the club's owner.

Meanwhile, David Beckham, one of the co-owners, highlighted the symbolic and sporting value of the agreement: “We brought the best player in history to our city. That shows our commitment to Miami, but also Leo's commitment to the city, the club, and football.”

The impact of Messi on the club's growth

Since the Argentine's arrival in 2023, Inter Miami not only elevated its football level —with the conquest of the Leagues Cup 2023— but also experienced an unprecedented economic boom.

While in 2022 revenues were around 60 million dollars, with Messi's presence the figure doubled in 2023, and projections aim to reach nearly 300 million in 2026 from ticket sales, merchandising, sponsorships, and television rights.

Messi's words upon renewing his contract

At the time of signing, Messi shared his enthusiasm for continuing with the Herons' project: “I am very happy to stay here and continue with this project that, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality: playing in this stadium, the Miami Freedom Park. Since I arrived in Miami, I have been very happy, so I am very pleased to continue here.”

The captain closed with a message of hope for the fans: “We are all very excited for the moment when we can finally play at the Miami Freedom Park. It will be something very special to play at home in such a spectacular stadium.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.