Lionel Messi has already decided when he will leave Inter Miami and MLS - but won't retire
Messi has been a big hit in the USA with Inter Miami on the verge of another trophy this season, however he already knows when he will leave the MLS
by Chris Burns · The MirrorLionel Messi may be headed into a vital run of games for Inter Miami but the Argentinian icon has already decided when he will leave the club - and the USA.
Messi has reportedly decided that his next club will be in his homeland and that he will leave Miami when his contract expires in December 2025, meaning he has just one full season left in Major League Soccer. The former Barcelona star signed for David Beckham's star-studded side in July 2023 in what was viewed as a major coup for the MLS.
Since his arrival he has changed the competitive landscape of the league and altered Miami's fortunes. Prior to his signing the Herons were struggling in the Eastern Conference and, despite not sealing a place in the play-offs in his first season, Messi catapulted the side to their first trophy and they now lead the standings with just four games to go.
However, it looks like his time in North America is up against the clock. According to El Nacional, the 37-year-old will move to boyhood club Newell's Old Boys when his current contract expires.
Messi has previously spoken on the prospect of returning to Newell's - the club where he spent five years of his youth from 1995 to 2000. Talking to Spanish magazine El Planeta Urbano back in 2016, he said: "If I go back to Argentina tomorrow, which I would love, the club I would be play for would be Newell's."
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was slightly more coy on the subject when he was drawn on a potential move back to his homeland at a later date. He later told TyC Sports: "My dream is to play at Newell's but I don't know what will happen, and a part of that doubt is due to the way the country is at the moment."
"I have a family and my children come first, and then me, I want them to grow up in a calm place, being able to enjoy life with security. It is very ugly to see the things that happen in Argentina, that you can go out on the street and people want to rob you and that they can kill you."
Despite having reservations about his return, it seems as if the former PSG star is somewhat destined to end his career in Argentina. Messi returned to action with Miami last weekend for the first time since injuring an ankle in the Copa America final back in July while representing his country.
Within half an hour of his return, he’d nabbed a brace against the Philadelphia Union. Miami’s 3-1 win took Messi’s tally for the season to 14 MLS goals and 14 assists, no mean feat considering he's missed a chunk of the season with injury.
Sitting on 64 points, Miami hold a hefty nine-point lead over second placed FC Cincinnati. With just weeks left in the campaign, the club will be eager to wrap up the Supporter's Shield.
If Miami do clinch the title then it will be the second trophy Messi has helped them win after he led them to the Leagues Cup last year. It's not just Miami fans who have welcomed the legend with open arms since he arrived in the country.
From receiving a rock star-like reception at grounds around the country to dominating shirt sales, the American public at large have taken the World Cup winner to their hearts since he joined the MLS. It's estimated that he is currently earning $50million and $60million per year in the league, with his contract also including lucrative tie-ins with partners including Apple and Adidas.
However despite the riches on offer to Messi, he may feel returning to the country he left when he was just 13-years-old to be the most fitting option for the final stage of his career.
Departing his hometown of Rosario having just become a teenager, Messi joined Barcelona where his legendary career was forged. A return to Newell's would not only bring his career full circle but cement his status as a hero in Argentina.
If going by the rapturous reception he experienced when he took part in Maxi Rodriguez's testimonial at Estadio Marcelo Bielsa earlier in the year, then returning to the country of his brith may be viewed as a no-brainer for the iconic forward.
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