Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas has expressed his desire to extend Lionel Messi’s contract beyond 2025, emphasizing that he “would fully expect” the Argentine superstar to be part of the roster for the club’s new stadium opening in 2026. Messi, who has been a key figure in Miami’s rise since joining in 2023, continues to draw international attention, and the club is eager to ensure his continued presence for the long term.
Mas believes that Messi’s contribution, both on and off the field, will be essential in shaping the club’s future, particularly with the unveiling of the new stadium just a few years away. The club is working on securing an extension that would keep Messi in Miami, building on the incredible success and global exposure the team has experienced since his arrival.
In other news, Inter Miami confirmed on Friday that head coach Tata Martino is stepping down from his role due to “personal reasons.” The 62-year-old Argentine coach shared his appreciation for the opportunity to manage the club, expressing gratitude for the experience and the relationships built during his tenure. “It has been an honor to work at such a special club and to lead such a special team,” Martino said during a press conference. “For strictly personal reasons, I have to leave Inter. I can’t come back next year, I need to be in Rosario.”
Martino’s departure marks a significant moment for the club, but the focus now shifts to ensuring that Messi remains with Inter Miami, further solidifying the club’s ambitions for future success as they approach the opening of their new stadium in 2026.
The news of Tata Martino’s departure from Inter Miami comes just weeks after the club, winners of the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, suffered an early exit in the postseason, losing to Atlanta United in the opening round.
As the club moves forward, they are now focused on finding a new manager while setting their sights on 2025 and the years to come. Although the club has not confirmed reports linking former Argentina and Barcelona star Javier Mascherano to the managerial role, discussions about the future have already begun. Managing owner Jorge Mas and president of football operations Rail Sanllehi have addressed the next steps for Inter Miami, touching on the future of the team, Messi’s contract status, and the long-term goals of the organization.
Mas has made it clear that extending Messi’s stay beyond 2025 is a top priority, expressing that he “fully expects” the legendary forward to be part of the roster when the club opens its new stadium in 2026. Messi, who has transformed the team both on and off the pitch, remains a key figure in Miami’s plans for continued growth and success.
With the managerial vacancy on the horizon and key decisions regarding Messi’s future, Inter Miami is looking to build on the success of the past few years and maintain momentum as they prepare for the next chapter in the club’s history.
With Tata Martino’s exit confirmed, multiple reports surfaced on Friday indicating that Javier Mascherano is poised to become Inter Miami’s next head coach, with ESPN reporting that negotiations between the two sides are underway. The 40-year-old, who most recently managed Argentina’s U23 team at the Paris Olympics, guided them to second place in their group before their tournament run ended in the quarterfinals with a tough 1-0 defeat to France, coached by Thierry Henry.
Jorge Mas highlighted that Lionel Messi has played a key role in the decision-making process regarding the coaching change and emphasized that previous MLS experience is not necessarily a must-have for the new hire.
“Having MLS experience could be beneficial, but it’s not the main factor we’re looking at,” Mas stated. “What’s more important is the ability to manage a roster with unlimited potential.” He continued, “I spoke with Leo on Saturday after he had his conversation with Tata. I asked him what he feels is important for getting the best out of our roster. How can we improve? Leo shared his thoughts with me, which were in line with what I had already explained.”
Mas added, “Of course, familiarity with Leo and the other key players is an advantage in every aspect. I want Leo to be comfortable with the new coach, and we’ve prioritized that. Leo provided the input I requested, and that was his contribution to the process.”
Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami is scheduled to end in 2025, though both sides have an option to extend the agreement. The club is hopeful that Messi will remain beyond 2025, especially as they prepare to open their new soccer-specific stadium, Miami Freedom Park, in 2026.
“Leo and I will have a conversation about the future. As I’ve mentioned before, and I’ll say it again now, I fully expect Leo Messi to be our No. 10 when we open our new stadium in 2026, following what we hope will be a trophy-filled 2025 season,” Mas remarked.
Miami will have several major competitions in 2025, including the CONCACAF Champions Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, Leagues Cup, MLS Supporters’ Shield, and MLS Cup.
“Leo is an incredible leader within the club, and that speaks volumes about him as a player,” Mas continued. “As I’ve said previously, he is a fierce competitor who always wants to win, and that mindset is something he shares with the ownership group.”
After a “disappointing exit” from the postseason, expectations for Inter Miami are higher than ever heading into 2025. The club’s ambitions not only include winning trophies but also expanding its global presence as a top-tier team.
“We didn’t create this club just to be another franchise. Our goal is to set a standard of excellence and compete at the highest levels of the sport—not just in North America or the Americas, but on a global scale,” Mas stated. “Next summer, we have a tremendous opportunity at the Club World Cup, and that’s a challenge we’re excited about.”
However, the Club World Cup isn’t the only goal for Miami. Mas also envisions Messi playing for the Herons in the prestigious Copa Libertadores.
“I would love for Inter Miami to compete in the Copa Libertadores because we aim to play against the best teams in South America,” Mas explained. “There’s also a personal element to this: it’s the only major tournament that Messi hasn’t participated in yet.”
The club is entering 2025 with high aspirations, both on the field and in the broader context of their future plans. However, to achieve these goals, they will need to revamp their roster and adapt to the potential departure of a few key players.
Paraguayan winger Diego Gomez is expected to leave in January, with Premier League club Brighton poised to secure his services to strengthen their attack. Additionally, 2024 MLS MVP nominee and star striker Luis Suarez is out of contract, and discussions are ongoing with the Uruguayan about extending his stay with the club.
“Suarez has been an incredible addition to our team, and what he’s accomplished this season has been spectacular,” Mas said of the 37-year-old. “Jordi Alba, in my opinion, had the best season a left back has ever had in this league’s history. We’re committed to building the best team possible. There are no budget restrictions; we will bring in the best talent from anywhere in the world.”
