Lionel Messi set to stay at Inter Miami until 2028 amid Newell’s Old Boys links

Lionel Messi is not considering an immediate departure from Inter Miami and plans to remain with the Major League Soccer club until at least the end of his current contract in 2028, according to a report.

The former Barcelona forward has been linked with a return to Argentina and his boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys. However, Italian transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on Friday that there are currently no negotiations over a move back to Rosario, including a possible loan spell.

Messi is also open to extending his stay in the United States beyond 2028, although any decision on a further contract is expected to be considered at a later stage.

Romano said Messi and his family are very happy in Miami, with the 39-year-old’s immediate priority being to see out the agreement he already has with Inter Miami rather than pursue a return to Argentina.

Inter Miami confirmed in October 2025 that Messi had extended his contract until the end of the 2028 Major League Soccer season. That announcement ended speculation about his short-term future and secured the continued presence of the club’s captain.

Messi joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. His arrival significantly increased worldwide interest in Major League Soccer and helped the club win the Leagues Cup in 2023, the first trophy in its history.

The Argentine then led Inter Miami to the Supporters’ Shield in 2024, adding another major honour during his time in the United States.

Speculation about a move to Newell’s Old Boys has persisted because of Messi’s longstanding connection with the club. He joined their academy in Rosario when he was seven, before leaving Argentina for Barcelona at the age of 13.

Despite that history, the latest report indicates that a return to Newell’s Old Boys is not currently being pursued. Messi’s focus remains on Inter Miami, where he is contracted through 2028 and could stay for longer.