Messi is about to renew his contract with Miami, for at least two years. Can the 2026 World Cup continue to write a legend?

Although he is 38 years old, Messi is still an indispensable offensive core for Miami International. This season, he played 21 games in the American League, contributing 20 goals and 9 assists, and continued to show his top level. Even if he is far away from the mainstream European leagues, his every move still attracts the attention of fans around the world.

According to ESPN, Messi's contract renewal negotiations with Miami International have entered a critical stage, and the two sides are close to reaching a new two-year contract. Well-known reporter Romano revealed that the negotiations were going well and only some details remain to be confirmed. The new contract needs to be reviewed and approved by the American Federation of Professional Affairs and is expected to be officially announced soon.

If the contract renewal is successfully completed, Messi will play in Miami until 2027, when he will be at least 40 years old. Messi has not made a final decision on whether to participate in the 2026 US, Canada and Mexico World Cup, but extending his career undoubtedly provides more possibilities for both him and the team.

Romano further pointed out that Messi regards the contract renewal as an important opportunity to help Miami International improve its competitive level and global influence. According to the initial agreement signed in 2023, Messi will become the club's co-owner after retirement, running the team with Jorge Maas, Jose Maas and Beckham.

For Messi, renewal is not only a continuation of his love for football, but also an important choice in his career. Despite his honor, he still maintains his passion for the game and is eager to continue to show the charm of football on the green field. Miami International has also shown great sincerity, not only meeting the requirements in contract treatment, but also committed to creating the best competitive environment for Messi.

Messi's stay in the team is timely rain for the club. Since he joined the team, the team's commercial value has increased rapidly: annual revenue has jumped from US$60 million in 2022 to US$224 million in 2024, and is expected to exceed US$450 million when the 2025 Club World Cup is held. The club's valuation also soared by 72% in the first year of Messi's joining, breaking through the $1 billion mark, with an increase of 17% and 25% respectively in the next two years.

Messi's attraction is like a magnet, driving the team to achieve great success in commercial cooperation, ticket sales and jersey sales. His existing contract will expire on December 31 this year. So far, he has made 75 appearances for Miami International, contributing 62 goals and 30 assists, and his unique record of 92 goals is amazing. Although there is no need for more honors to prove himself, Messi is still full of youthful vitality in the field of the American League. This season, he won two goals in a key game against the Seattle Bayerman, becoming the team's winning hero. Since joining in 2023, he has led the team to win the League Cup and the Supporters Shield, significantly increasing the team's popularity in international football. Looking forward to the next three years, fans look forward to Messi continuing to write glory at Miami International and leading the team to a new high. Regardless of whether he plays in the 2026 World Cup, his continued exploration and influence in the field of football will drive the sport to continue to develop and progress.