Which MLS club was Messi playing for during the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Messi was playing for Inter Miami when he represented Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Florida club had been his team since he joined Major League Soccer in 2023, after earlier spells with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

Inter Miami competes in MLS’s Eastern Conference and was co-founded in 2018, with David Beckham among its prominent owners. Messi’s arrival transformed the club’s global profile and reunited him with former Barcelona teammates including Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. By the 2026 tournament, Inter Miami was the relevant club answer—not Barcelona, PSG or an Argentine side.

A frequent mix-up comes from separating club football from international football. Messi played for Argentina at the World Cup, but his club registration remained with Inter Miami. MLS paused its regular season around the tournament, allowing players to join their national teams while their clubs continued to be the answer to questions about their current club affiliation.