Lionel Messi is preparing to play his final match for Argentina but will continue with Inter Miami. His time in the United States has coincided with changes to Major League Soccer, which will switch to a summer-to-spring calendar in 2027.
Messi’s upcoming final match for Argentina will close a long international career, but not his playing career: the 39-year-old forward is expected to return to Inter Miami afterward. The Associated Press also reported on Argentina’s farewell to Messi, describing the match as the end of an era.
Messi joined the Miami club in 2023 after Argentina won the 2022 World Cup. Al Jazeera said he helped Inter Miami win its first Leagues Cup in his first year and the club later claimed its first MLS title. AP noted that he will continue at club level after leaving the national team.
His arrival drew attention to MLS and came as the league made broader changes. MLS has announced a switch to a summer-to-spring calendar. Under the official plan, the 2027-28 season will start in July 2027 and end in May 2028, following a shorter transitional season.
Messi’s impact has also reached beyond the pitch. AP reported that Apple exceeded its MLS Season Pass subscriber targets after his arrival, though the company did not disclose exact figures. Sportico valued Inter Miami at $1.45 billion in its 2026 MLS team rankings, making it the league’s most valuable franchise.
Al Jazeera’s report also cited increased demand for the club’s matches and merchandise, as well as league rule changes that the author said helped MLS capitalize on the attention. For U.S. fans, Messi’s departure from Argentina means they will no longer see him with the national team, though he is set to continue playing for his club.