Lionel Messi is approaching a defining stage in his journey with Inter Miami. Having extended his contract through 2028, the Argentine icon is now leading the club into the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs, chasing a historic championship for the South Florida side. Yet, amid the excitement, Messi finds himself confronting a wave of nostalgia that reminds him how quickly time passes.
MESSI BIDS FAREWELL TO LONGTIME FRIENDS: “IT’S TOUGH”
Speaking to Fabrizio Romano on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, Messi reflected on the emotional news that Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba will retire following Inter Miami’s postseason campaign. After years of sharing the pitch together at FC Barcelona and later in Miami, the trio’s paths are about to part for good.
“Honestly, it’s tough,” Messi admitted. “You realize you’ve spent your entire professional life in football. You start seeing people around you stepping away, and you understand that your own moment will come soon.”
He continued, “We were always connected — on and off the pitch — our families too. So it’s not just losing teammates, it’s losing friends. And for them, it’s also hard, because walking away from something you love is never easy.”
UNCERTAINTY OVER 2026 WORLD CUP
When asked about his international future, Messi didn’t hide that his own career is winding down. He remains undecided about whether he’ll represent Argentina at the 2026 World Cup in North America, saying he’ll make the decision “when the time feels right.”
MESSI’S NEXT CHALLENGE: EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Up next for Messi and Inter Miami is a visit to Geodis Park, home of Nashville SC — a venue full of special memories. It was there, in 2023, that Inter Miami lifted their first-ever trophy, the Leagues Cup, with Messi, Busquets, and Alba all playing starring roles in the dramatic penalty shootout win.
This season, Miami defeated Nashville convincingly on Decision Day, and now, after a home win in Game 1, Javier Mascherano’s men will look to seal the series this Saturday and book their place in the Eastern Conference semifinals.