What’s next for Messi? Club World Cup exit raises many questions

Lionel Messi's fairytale journey at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 came to an abrupt halt on Sunday (June 29), as Inter Miami suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the tournament's Round of 16.

The loss marked the end of what many hoped would be another chapter in the Argentine maestro's storied career, but it has also intensified speculation about what lies ahead for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Following their loss to the European champions on June 29, Inter Miami must now refocus their attention on Major League Soccer (MLS), where their Eastern Conference campaign was temporarily paused during the Club World Cup proceedings on home soil.

While Messi prepares to lead the team into his third season with the Florida-based club, significant questions loom over both his immediate club future and his international ambitions.

Post-match reflections: Messi's measured response

Despite a frustrating evening where he was largely neutralized by PSG's defense, Messi maintained his characteristic composure in the aftermath.

The veteran forward came close to breaking the deadlock with a header that required a crucial save from the PSG goalkeeper, while a trademark free-kick struck the goalpost, serving as a reminder of his enduring quality even at 38.

"The match was what was expected," Messi told Latin American sports channel DSports, displaying the wisdom that comes with decades at football's highest level. "They're a great team, winners of the last Champions League, and they're in really good shape. It was the match we expected. We tried to do our best, and I think we left a good impression at the Club World Cup."

His philosophical approach to the defeat suggests a player who has learned to accept both triumph and disappointment with equal grace, though it does little to clarify his long-term intentions.

Immediate Future: Return to MLS Action

Miami's qualification for the Club World Cup came on the back of their impressive top-placed finish in the Eastern Conference during the 2024 season. Now, they must quickly transition back to domestic competition, with a challenging away fixture against Montreal scheduled for this Sunday (July 6).

The question mark surrounding Messi's involvement in the Montreal clash reflects the delicate balance coach Javier Mascherano must strike.

His Argentine compatriot started and completed every match during Miami's Club World Cup campaign, raising legitimate concerns about fatigue management for a player approaching his 39th birthday.

Contract crossroads: Miami's ambitious plans

Perhaps the most pressing question surrounding Messi's future concerns his expiring contract with Inter Miami, which concludes at the end of 2025.

While the superstar has remained characteristically private about his intentions, the club's ownership group, led by co-owner Jorge Mas alongside his brother Jose and former England captain David Beckham, are pulling out all stops to secure his services beyond the current deal.

"My dream would be for the number 10 to inaugurate our new stadium in March 2026," Jorge Mas revealed to ESPN, outlining the club's ambitious timeline. However, he was careful to acknowledge the autonomy of his star player, adding that the decision "rests on Messi."

The stakes couldn't be higher for Miami's ownership. Messi currently commands a staggering $20.4 million in guaranteed compensation for 2025, with a base salary of $12 million, making him by far the highest-paid player in MLS history.

His presence has transformed not only the club's fortunes but the entire league's profile, attracting global attention and significantly boosting attendance figures across the competition.

The Barcelona factor: A romantic return?

Adding complexity to Miami's retention efforts are persistent rumors linking Messi with a romantic return to Barcelona, the club where he spent the majority of his illustrious career before his tearful departure in 2021.

The Catalan giants are reportedly set to settle the final $7 million installment of their financial debt to Messi on July 7, potentially clearing the path for reunion discussions.

According to Argentine football journalist Maximiliano Grillo, Barcelona are strategically waiting for Messi to complete his Miami contract before launching a charm offensive, with plans to bring him back after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Such a move would represent one of football's greatest homecoming stories, though neither club nor player have publicly commented on the speculation.

Messi himself has previously expressed his emotional connection to Barcelona, stating earlier this year: "After the World Cup, I couldn't see myself in another European team that wasn't Barca. My goal was to come back to my home, where everything started. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible."

World Cup 2026: The final frontier?

The looming 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, represents perhaps the most intriguing element of Messi's decision-making process.

Having finally captured the trophy that had long eluded him at Qatar 2022, leading Argentina to their third World Cup triumph, the question remains whether he has the appetite for one final campaign.

Argentina have already secured their qualification for the tournament, but Messi's recent injury concerns have kept him out of several qualification matches.

National team coach Lionel Scaloni has adopted a patient approach, emphasizing that there is "plenty of time" to make decisions about Messi's international future.

"We must go one game at a time, otherwise we will be speaking about the same thing the rest of the year, and we need to leave him alone," Scaloni explained in March. "He will decide it whenever he wants. Let's not drive him crazy with this."

However, Messi's teammates have made their preferences abundantly clear.

Julian Alvarez suggested after Argentina's 4-1 victory over Brazil that "with Messi, we might have scored two or three more goals," while Rodrigo de Paul captured the sentiment of fans worldwide: "The best of our teams is always when the number 10 is playing because he is the greatest of all time."

Retirement whispers: The end of an era?

Perhaps most significantly, Messi has begun to acknowledge the approaching twilight of his career.

Following Miami's group stage victory against Porto on June 19, he offered a rare glimpse into his mindset: "I'm conscious that I'm playing my final matches and I'm enjoying them to the maximum. I'm sure that you're watching my final moments in football's elite."

Such comments have sent shockwaves through the football world, as fans grapple with the reality that one of the sport's greatest ever players is approaching the end of his remarkable journey.

While no specific retirement timeline has been announced, the mere acknowledgment of his career's finite nature marks a significant shift in tone from a player who has long avoided such discussions.

The Saudi alternative: A lucrative distraction

Inevitably, Messi's name continues to be linked with potential moves to the Saudi Pro League, where former rival Cristiano Ronaldo has found a lucrative second wind to his career.

However, such speculation appears increasingly unlikely given the Messi family's apparent contentment with their lifestyle in Florida, their proximity to Argentina, and the upcoming World Cup on American soil.

Conclusion: A legacy in the balance

According to media reports, Lionel Messi is considering the idea of moving to a more competitive league six months before the FIFA World Cup next year.

Messi’s contract expires at the end of 2025, making him a free agent heading into the winter transfer window.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is said to be contemplating a move away from the MLS at that point, to a competition at a higher level, plausibly to help him better prepare for the FIFA World Cup.

As Messi stands at this crucial juncture in his career, the decisions he makes in the coming months will shape not only his own legacy but potentially the trajectory of multiple clubs and competitions.

Whether he chooses to extend his Miami adventure, pursue a romantic return to Barcelona, represent Argentina at one final World Cup, or begin the transition toward retirement, his choices will be scrutinized and celebrated by millions of fans worldwide.

What remains certain is that whatever path Messi chooses, it will be undertaken with the same dedication, professionalism, and class that have defined his extraordinary career.

As the football world waits with bated breath, the greatest player of his generation prepares to write the final chapters of an unprecedented sporting story.