Lionel Messi profile: life after Argentina and an MLS scoring chase
After his Argentina farewell, Lionel Messi scored twice against DC United and helped Inter Miami clinch a third straight playoff spot. Our profile covers his season, career and records.
Lionel Messi has closed the most decorated international career in football history and gone straight back to work. Four days after bidding farewell to Argentina in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin at the Estadio Monumental on 6 October 2026, the 39-year-old scored twice for Inter Miami against DC United, then helped seal a third straight playoff appearance with a 2-0 win over New York City FC. This Lionel Messi profile covers the latest news from Miami, his 2026 numbers, the style that still sets him apart, a career of unmatched honours and what lies ahead in the MLS run-in.
Lionel Messi latest news: life after the Argentina farewell
Messi announced his retirement from international football in August 2026, a few weeks after the World Cup. Argentina then staged a farewell friendly in Buenos Aires, and he made sure it was a night to remember. In front of 85,000 fans, he set up Nico Paz, delivered the corner from which Nicolás Otamendi scored and converted a 71st-minute penalty as Argentina beat Benin 3-0, according to beIN Sports.
He now focuses entirely on club football. Messi is under contract at Inter Miami until the end of the 2028 MLS season, as reported by Al Jazeera, which means the next stage of his career will be played out in the United States.
Messi's 2026 season with Inter Miami
Back in Major League Soccer, Messi returned from the international break in scoring mood. In his first club match after the farewell, on Saturday 10 October, he struck twice against DC United. Four days later he was involved in both goals as Inter Miami beat New York City FC 2-0, including the assist for Rodrigo De Paul. That victory clinched a third consecutive playoff place for the club, according to Al Jazeera.
His numbers for the year are impressive for a player in his late thirties. According to Wikipedia's 2026 Inter Miami season page, he had 23 MLS goals and 27 in all competitions as of 14 October, a tally that keeps him firmly in the hunt for another MLS Golden Boot.
Inter Miami at a glance (mid-October 2026)
- League position: second in the Eastern Conference, behind Nashville SC, with five games remaining (Al Jazeera, 15 October).
- Playoffs: qualification secured for a third straight season.
- Coach: Cristian "Kily" González, in charge since mid-September 2026; Javier Mascherano's spell ended in April.
- Messi's 2026 tally: 23 MLS goals, 27 in all competitions (per Wikipedia, as of 14 October).
Role and playing style
At Inter Miami, Messi is the creative and scoring heart of the team. Nominally a forward, he drifts between the lines and often drops deep to collect the ball, before turning to run at defenders or pick out a pass. The left foot remains his signature weapon: close control in tight spaces, curling finishes from the edge of the box and a reliable record from penalties and set pieces.
Age has changed how he plays rather than how much he influences games. He no longer needs to cover the whole pitch; instead he chooses his moments, conserving energy and then accelerating into the decisive action. His vision means he can unlock a defence with one pass, as his assist for De Paul against New York City FC showed, while his finishing ensures he remains the side's leading threat in front of goal.
Lionel Messi career path: Rosario, Barcelona, Paris and Miami
Born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, Messi moved to Barcelona as a youngster and came through the club's famous La Masia academy. He spent his entire senior career in Catalonia until 2021, before two seasons in Paris and a move to Florida in July 2023.
| Club | Years | Key honours |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | 2004-2021 | 10 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League titles; club's all-time top scorer |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 2021-2023 | 2 Ligue 1 titles |
| Inter Miami | 2023- | 2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 Supporters' Shield |
Honours and records
Few players can match Messi's collection. With Barcelona he won ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League crowns, in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015. He is the club's all-time leading scorer and La Liga's all-time top scorer, and he won the European Golden Shoe several times. In Paris he added two Ligue 1 titles, and in Miami he lifted the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters' Shield.
Individually, he holds the record of eight Ballon d'Or awards. He also holds the World Cup record for most appearances, and during the 2026 tournament he passed Miroslav Klose's World Cup scoring record, finishing on 21 goals at the finals. Kylian Mbappé has since moved one ahead on 22, but Messi's place among the competition's greatest scorers is secure.
International career: a farewell after one last final
Messi's Argentina career ends with 208 caps and 126 goals, making him the country's most-capped player and all-time leading scorer. According to beIN Sports, only Cristiano Ronaldo, with 146, has scored more goals for a men's national team. He won the 2008 Olympic gold medal, the Copa América in 2021 and 2024 and, above all, the 2022 World Cup, where he was named player of the tournament, an award he also received in 2014.
His final World Cup in 2026 was another remarkable chapter. He scored eight goals and provided four assists as Argentina reached the final, only to lose 1-0 to Spain after extra time on 19 July at New York New Jersey Stadium, where Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute. Weeks later he confirmed his international retirement, and the Monumental farewell gave him the send-off his supporters wanted.
What's next for Messi
With five regular-season games left, Inter Miami are chasing Nashville for top spot in the Eastern Conference, and Messi's form will be central to their playoff hopes. Without international duty, he can now manage his workload around club commitments, which could help him sustain his scoring through the post-season. His contract to the end of 2028 means MLS fans can expect to see him for some time yet.
Follow every Inter Miami fixture on our matches page and catch live scores on Yalla Shoot.