As Lionel Messi nears the twilight of his illustrious playing career, his future in Major League Soccer appears to extend well beyond the field.
At 37, the Argentine icon continues to dazzle fans as the star of Inter Miami. However, co-owner Jorge Mas has revealed that Messi’s role within the club will not end with his retirement. In a recent interview, Mas shared that Messi is poised to become a long-term stakeholder in the franchise.
From superstar to stakeholder
Following his monumental World Cup victory in 2022, Messi shocked the football world by signing with Inter Miami, one of MLS’s youngest clubs. While his move was partly inspired by lifestyle and family considerations, Mas disclosed that a broader vision drew Messi to the project.
When Lionel finishes playing, he will be a partner—both mine and my brother’s, as well as David’s (Beckham)—in the club. That was one of the things that really attracted Lionel to our project, Mas told Fútbol de Primera.
He elaborated further, saying,
I’m talking about being a shareholder of the club. Owner of the club, shareholder of the club. I believe this will be long-lasting—five years, ten, twenty, thirty... As I’ve told him, this is also a project and a legacy he can leave to his children and continue building on his soccer career.
A legacy beyond the game
Messi’s arrival in the MLS has already sparked a major transformation in American soccer, reminiscent of the impact legends like Pele and Beckham once had. His transition from global icon to future club owner marks a new chapter, not just for Messi, but for the league itself.
Eyes on 2026 and a new stadium
With his current contract running through the 2025 season, Inter Miami is pushing to keep Messi on the pitch for at least one more year. Mas remains hopeful about finalizing an extension soon.
I expect that within 60-90 days we’ll have to determine all of this. My hope has always been — and everything we’re doing — is to see Messi play at our new stadium in 2026. Hopefully, that happens, Mas said.
Inter Miami is set to move into the state-of-the-art Miami Freedom Park next season, a symbol of the club's ambitious growth—one Messi may continue to shape from both the pitch and the boardroom.