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<ul><li>Argentine GOAT moved to America in 2023</li><li>Yet to trigger extension option in his contract</li><li>Is being linked with teams around the world</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'It's too easy & it's not healthy!' - Lionel Messi told he's playing 'PlayStation' soccer in MLS & should LEAVE America to be ready for World Cup defence with Argentina

Major League Soccer

Inter Miami CF

FC Cincinnati

<p>As things stand, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is only under contract in South Florida until the end of the calendar year. He <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/in-a-few-weeks-lionel-messi-contract-extension-update-as-inter-miami-hint-at-very-important-news-for/blt129874aed144fc20" target="_blank">does have the option for a 12-month extension</a>, which would take him through <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ronaldo-debunks-lionel-messi-walking-myth-argentina-huge-advantage-2026-world-cup-inter-miami-superstar/blt3317380842b835d2" target="_blank">Argentina’s defence of their global crown</a> next summer.</p><div data-name="Apple TV" class="affiliate-button-container theme-1"><div class="affiliate-button"><img height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" class="logo" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" target="_blank" class="affiliate-button-link">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Delays in <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/will-lionel-messi-play-there-david-beckham-inter-miami-stadium-update-questions-argentine-goat-future-mls/bltc47ffcf17d74356f" target="_blank">confirmation of that clause being triggered</a> have led to intense speculation regarding Messi’s future plans. Teams in the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/lionel-messi-vs-cristiano-ronaldo-saudi-pro-league-club-launch-ambitious-bid-to-sign-argentine-supers/blta260e99b209a4c23?utm_id=fa3iys5y8hyz9ezk&amp;utm_source_platform=newsnow" target="_blank">Saudi Pro League are said to be readying lucrative offers</a>, while a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/liverpool-move-lionel-messi-argentine-goat-premier-league-transfer-impossible-inter-miami-star-barcelona-return-2026-world-cup/blt58dbd666cbca7529" target="_blank">return to Europe has been mooted</a> for the Barcelona legend.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The all-time great is being advised to consider a change of scenery, having <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/best-player-league-lionel-messi-ticks-mls-mvp-box-by-far-usmnt-star-julian-gressel-explains-why-inter-miami/bltda27efe95e82b3ee" target="_blank">starred as an MVP in MLS</a>, with the evergreen 38-year-old told that more competitive action at club level will have him better prepared for <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/nobody-knows-lionel-messi-2026-world-cup-decision-inter-miami-superstar-argentina-swansong/bltf4e8329a24d82fd5" target="_blank">another shot at World Cup glory</a>.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Quizzed on what the short-term future holds for Messi and MLS, Terry Phelan - who spent time in the U.S. with Charleston Battery during his playing career and was speaking in association with the wide variety of <a href="https://www.casino777.es/" target="_blank">casino</a> games available online  - told <strong>GOAL</strong>: “That’s the $100 million question isn’t it. I think David Beckham has done a wonderful job at Miami. He’s built a club with the support around him and a support network. I think he had this vision of getting some of the best players in the world - the Barcelona players have been thrown in there. 
</p><p>“Are we looking at Messi looking at the World Cup and going ‘I need to play in a better competition because I need to be in form for the World Cup next year?’ Saudi Arabia? He doesn’t need the money to go and play there. We know the Saudi teams did well [at the Club World Cup], they beat Manchester City, won one or two games, but that’s not the be all and end all. 
</p><p>“With Messi, if he really wants to get that appetite, I think he needs to go somewhere that he’s going to get better competition for himself. It’s too easy. You look at his stats, you look at videos, it’s like PlayStation for him at the moment. It’s not healthy. 
</p><p>“He’s gone over there, shirts have been sold, revenue has been built, Miami can go and build a big new stadium. They will always be there or thereabouts, but he has got to think about what he’s going to do with the World Cup next year if he is going to play with Argentina.”</p><p></p><picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltd8d2cb60312486a7/GOAL%202.0%20-%20Quote%20V2%20(Right)%20-%20X%20(2).png?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltd8d2cb60312486a7/GOAL%202.0%20-%20Quote%20V2%20(Right)%20-%20X%20(2).png?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltd8d2cb60312486a7/GOAL%202.0%20-%20Quote%20V2%20(Right)%20-%20X%20(2).png?format=jpg" alt="Terry Phelan Lionel Messi MLS" data-source="Getty Images" data-copyright="Getty/GOAL" data-portal-copyright="Getty/GOAL" perform:prop="uuid:bltd8d2cb60312486a7;width:1080;height:1350"></picture><p></p>

WHAT PHELAN SAID

<p>Messi moved to Miami in the summer of 2023. He has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/lionel-messi-antonela-roccuzzo-happy-inter-miami-no-firm-agreement-new-contract-argentine-goat-mls-retirement-plan-change/bltf9943da87090e295" target="_blank">enjoyed life in the Sunshine State alongside wife Antonela Roccuzzo</a> and their three sons, but it may be that he has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/lionel-messi-backed-newells-old-boys-homecoming-transfer-argentine-fa-president-inter-miami-contract-uncertainty/bltba4d8913ce6c57e8" target="_blank">at least one more challenge in him at club level</a> before record-shattering boots are hung up for the final time.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

'It's too easy & it's not healthy!' - Lionel Messi told he's playing 'Playstation' soccer in MLS & should LEAVE America to be ready for World Cup defence with Argentina | Goal.com

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi has been urged to leave MLS before the 2026 World Cup as playing “PlayStation” soccer in America is “not healthy”.

&apos;It&apos;s too easy &amp; it&apos;s not healthy!&apos; - Lionel Messi told he&apos;s playing &apos;PlayStation&apos; soccer in MLS &amp; should LEAVE America to be ready for World Cup defence with Argentina

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