When Messi joined the Herons in July 2023, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner signed a two and a half year contract that is set to expire at the end of the year. Messi and Inter Miami did not come to a new agreement before the start of the 2025 MLS season, but they are now close to inking a new deal.

A Chicago Fire record crowd of 62,358 showed up at Soldier Field on Sunday for the game against Inter Miami and based on the number of pink No. 10 shirts in the stands, a sizable percentage of the audience was there to see Miami captain Lionel Messi.

Inter Miami is close to an agreement with Lionel Messi over a contract extension, which would see the Argentina forward lead his side into their new home at Miami Freedom Park next year. Messi joined Miami as a free agent in July 2023 on a deal that expires at the end of 2025 but — according to sources in the United States with knowledge of the situation — talks to prolong his stay are at an advanced stage and the 37-year-old is now expected to sign,