Is Inter Miami Betting Too Much on an Aging Lionel Messi?

 Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami in 2023 was hailed as the dawn of a new era for Major League Soccer (MLS). His debut season, filled with jaw-dropping goals and moments of brilliance, catapulted the club into global prominence. But as rumors swirl about extending his contract through 2026, some fans and analysts are asking an uncomfortable question: Is Inter Miami making a mistake by tying their future to a player approaching his 40s?

The Messi Obsession

Let’s be honest—Inter Miami’s strategy revolves around one thing: Messi. From their marketing campaigns to their tactical approach on the pitch, the club’s identity is completely intertwined with the Argentine maestro. But while the Messi mania has delivered short-term success, including a Supporters’ Shield and an MLS MVP title in 2024, it has also exposed a glaring vulnerability: Miami’s inability to function without him.

When Messi was sidelined with injuries late in the season, the team floundered. For a club aiming to build a lasting legacy, this over-reliance is dangerous. Is Miami building a team, or are they just Messi FC?

Age Is More Than a Number

Messi is not immortal. By the time his proposed extension ends in 2026, he will be nearly 39 years old. Sure, he’s defied age better than most, but his physical decline is inevitable. Are Inter Miami’s owners betting on nostalgia instead of planning for the future?

A contract extension would likely make Messi the highest-paid player in MLS history, draining resources that could otherwise be used to recruit younger talent or strengthen the squad. The club is gambling that Messi’s star power will continue to outweigh his declining mobility and stamina.

A Financial Gamble

Let’s not pretend this is just about football. Extending Messi’s contract is as much about money as it is about performance. Ticket sales, merchandise, and global attention have surged since his arrival. But at what point does the financial benefit plateau?

Clubs like LAFC and Seattle Sounders have shown that sustained success in MLS comes from building a strong core, not banking on a single superstar. By funneling resources into keeping Messi, Miami risks falling behind rivals who are investing in depth and youth.

The Shadow of Sentimentality

Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas is reportedly keen on having Messi around for the opening of the club’s new stadium in 2026. While the idea of Messi leading the team into a shiny new arena is romantic, it’s also shortsighted. Football is a brutal business, and sentimentality rarely pays off.

What happens if Messi’s performance dips dramatically in the next two years? What if Miami becomes the laughingstock of MLS for clinging to a player past his prime?

A Divisive Legacy

Messi’s arrival has undeniably raised the profile of MLS, but has it done so at the cost of the league’s credibility? Critics argue that Miami’s Messi-centric approach reinforces the perception of MLS as a “retirement league” for aging stars. Instead of proving the league’s competitiveness, Miami’s reliance on a fading icon could deepen the narrative that MLS is little more than a playground for former European stars.

Time for Tough Decisions

Inter Miami faces a crucial decision: Double down on Messi and risk stagnation, or start planning for life after him. The club has a chance to use Messi’s star power as a springboard to build something lasting. But if they extend his contract without addressing their over-dependence, they risk turning a historic opportunity into a cautionary tale.

Lionel Messi is a legend, but even legends have an expiration date. The question is whether Inter Miami is brave enough to look beyond the legend and plan for the future—or if they’ll continue chasing a dream that’s already beginning to fade.

Would extending Messi’s contract be a masterstroke or a colossal mistake? The answer could define Inter Miami’s future—and perhaps even the future of MLS.