David Beckham activates clause to keep Messi's 'bodyguard' long-term, Inter Miami undergoes major changes.

Inter Miami club president David Beckham and co-owners have officially approved the decision to activate the long-term retention clause for midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who has always been by Messi's side and is jokingly called his 'bodyguard'.

Inter Miami has undergone major changes; who among Messi's remaining friends is left?

In preparation for the 2026 season, following their MLS Cup victory and history-making achievement, Inter Miami's chairman, David Beckham, and his billionaire co-owners, brothers Jorge and Jose Mas, are undertaking a comprehensive overhaul of their team.

First, they spent a record-breaking $17 million to secure midfielder De Paul on a long-term contract until December 2029, completing the transfer from Atletico Madrid after his loan spell ended in 2025.

David Beckham's happiness was evident on his face as he congratulated Messi on winning the MLS Cup. He also spent heavily to strengthen the team for the 2026 season.

Photo: Reuters

De Paul is the only remaining close friend of Messi who will officially continue alongside him in the 2026 season, after two former Barcelona teammates, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, have retired. The other remaining player is veteran striker Suarez, whose contract expires after the 2025 season, but is still in negotiations for a one-year extension.

Suarez was recently contacted by his former club Nacional in Uruguay with an offer to return to play in his home country. However, he recently declined, after reports emerged that David Beckham and the other owners wanted the striker to stay and play for Inter Miami for another season, but on the condition that Suarez take a pay cut and accept a position that might involve being a substitute for younger players.

Along with Suarez, Inter Miami is also negotiating contract extensions with key players such as Allen Obando, Rocco Rios Novo, Baltasar Rodriguez, and especially striker Tadeo Allende after their loan spells expire. River Plate is reportedly interested in signing Allende on a loan deal with an option to buy from Celta Vigo (Spain), while Inter Miami wants to retain him.

According to American media reports, David Beckham is also preparing to strengthen Inter Miami's squad in January 2026 when the winter transfer window opens, including recruiting top striker Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, right-back Facundo Mura from Racing Club in Argentina, and left-back Kai Wagner from Philadelphia Union (USA).

If these deals are completed, Inter Miami's squad for the 2026 season will be very strong, after they have also secured the retention of outstanding players such as Noah Allen, Tomas Aviles, Yannick Bright, Maximiliano Falcon, Ian Fray, Mateo Silvetti, and Telasco Segovia.

Having won the MLS Cup, Messi will participate in the 2026 World Cup, without further delay, according to Marca.

Photo: Reuters

Inter Miami will kick off the 2026 season with a South American tour that has confirmed venues and two matches: against Atletico Nacional in Medellin (Colombia) on January 31st, and against Barcelona SC in Guayaquil (Ecuador) on February 7th. Messi and De Paul will lead the tour.

Messi made history, joining the ranks of American sports legends.

Along with winning the MLS Cup and the Playoff Player of the Year award, Messi had previously won the MLS Golden Boot for 2025. He also just won the MLS Player of the Season award.

This is the second consecutive time the Argentinian star has won this award after 2024, making him the first player in American soccer history to achieve this feat.

This allowed Messi to make history for MLS, joining the ranks of American sports legends like Michael Jordan, LeBron James (basketball), and Shohei Ohtani (Japanese, baseball), who have won the Player of the Season award twice in a row in their respective sports.

Previously, this achievement belonged only to athletes in popular American sports; it was only with Messi that American soccer, specifically MLS, entered this hall of fame.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/david-beckham-kich-hoat-dieu-khoan-giu-can-ve-messi-dai-han-inter-miami-thay-doi-lon-185251212115214528.htm