INTER MIAMI AND Lionel Messi have agreed to extend the Argentine star’s contract to remain in Major League Soccer (MLS) beyond next year’s World Cup, according to a source close to the matter.
The contract extension would ensure that 38-year-old Messi remains active through next year’s FIFA showpiece hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
An official announcement is expected to take place within the next two weeks, said the source contacted by AFP late on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, Son Heung-min scored his first Major League Soccer hat-trick to propel Los Angeles FC to a 4-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in Utah last night and continue his spectacular start to life in the United States.
South Korea’s Son, the former Tottenham captain who signed with LAFC in August for a reported MLS record $26 million, struck twice in the first half and again in the second.
A former Premier League golden boot winner, Son has had an instant impact in America after a decade at Tottenham, scoring five goals in six MLS matches.
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Son Heung Min of Los Angeles FC celebrates a first-half goal. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Denis Bouanga got the fourth to become the all-time leading scorer for LAFC, who moved into fourth place in the Western Conference, two points above Seattle Sounders.
Diego Luna came close to firing Real Salt Lake ahead in the second minute when he charged on to a cross in the penalty area, but his left-footed shot went wide.
Just a minute later, Son punished the miss by putting the visitors in front.
Timothy Tillman intercepted in midfield and threaded a short pass to Son, who raced alone toward the box and unleashed a shot past the advancing Salt Lake keeper Rafael.
Son doubled the advantage 13 minutes later with a long-range blast that ripped between defenders and past a diving Rafael.
LAFC’s French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who had also been Son’s teammate at Tottenham, produced a string of first-half saves to keep the Angelenos 2-0 up at the break.
Real Salt Lake’s Rwan Cruz missed a penalty in the 56th minute, his shot bouncing off the post and nearly tripping Lloris.
Xavier Gozo finally got Real on the board with a goal in the 76th minute.
Son responded with his third goal, slotting home a pass from Bouanga who got free after a counter-attack on the right.
Bouanga sealed the match in the 88th minute after another fast break.
Latching on to a pass from David Martinez, Bouanga scored his 94th goal for the club in all competitions to move ahead of Carlos Vela as LAFC’s all-time leading scorer.
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Messi set to extend Inter Miami contract beyond 2026, sensational Son bags first LAFC hat-trick
INTER MIAMI AND Lionel Messi have agreed to extend the Argentine star’s contract to remain in Major League Soccer (MLS) beyond next year’s World Cup, according to a source close to the matter.
The contract extension would ensure that 38-year-old Messi remains active through next year’s FIFA showpiece hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
An official announcement is expected to take place within the next two weeks, said the source contacted by AFP late on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, Son Heung-min scored his first Major League Soccer hat-trick to propel Los Angeles FC to a 4-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in Utah last night and continue his spectacular start to life in the United States.
South Korea’s Son, the former Tottenham captain who signed with LAFC in August for a reported MLS record $26 million, struck twice in the first half and again in the second.
A former Premier League golden boot winner, Son has had an instant impact in America after a decade at Tottenham, scoring five goals in six MLS matches.
Denis Bouanga got the fourth to become the all-time leading scorer for LAFC, who moved into fourth place in the Western Conference, two points above Seattle Sounders.
Diego Luna came close to firing Real Salt Lake ahead in the second minute when he charged on to a cross in the penalty area, but his left-footed shot went wide.
Just a minute later, Son punished the miss by putting the visitors in front.
Timothy Tillman intercepted in midfield and threaded a short pass to Son, who raced alone toward the box and unleashed a shot past the advancing Salt Lake keeper Rafael.
Son doubled the advantage 13 minutes later with a long-range blast that ripped between defenders and past a diving Rafael.
LAFC’s French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who had also been Son’s teammate at Tottenham, produced a string of first-half saves to keep the Angelenos 2-0 up at the break.
Real Salt Lake’s Rwan Cruz missed a penalty in the 56th minute, his shot bouncing off the post and nearly tripping Lloris.
Xavier Gozo finally got Real on the board with a goal in the 76th minute.
Son responded with his third goal, slotting home a pass from Bouanga who got free after a counter-attack on the right.
Bouanga sealed the match in the 88th minute after another fast break.
Latching on to a pass from David Martinez, Bouanga scored his 94th goal for the club in all competitions to move ahead of Carlos Vela as LAFC’s all-time leading scorer.
– © AFP 2025
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inter miami Lionel Messi Los Angeles FC Major League MLS Soccer Son Heung-Min