"The stars are aligning" for Lionel Messi to extend his stay with Inter Miami, managing owner Jorge Mas declared ahead of Sunday's MLS clash with the Chicago Fire.

Messi committed to an initial two-and-a-half-year deal when he first arrived in the United States midway through the 2023 season, with his contract set to expire later this year.

However, that deal contains an option for the Argentine to extend by a further 12 months, and following his fine start to 2025, the club are keen to exercise that clause.

Messi scored twice and had another goal disallowed on Wednesday as Miami recovered from a 2-0 aggregate deficit to dump Los Angeles FC out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

And in MLS, Messi has supplied three goals and two assists despite being limited to just three starts this year, having suffered a muscle injury last month.

Asked for an update on Messi's future, Mas told Futbol de Primera: "My expectation is that we will see the team's captain and number 10, Lionel Messi, in the new stadium [which is due to open next year].

"It's a decision. We are talking with him about his future at the club. All the stars are aligning for really great things, a beautiful future for the club and for Lionel. 

"It's up to him, but I anticipate we will determine this in the next 60 or 90 days because it's important to start planning ahead.

"He will be another member of the club when he retires, an acting shareholder, and he wants to leave that as a legacy to his children. 

"We have a very nice, respectful relationship with him, and I let him live his life peacefully."

Miami are one of just two unbeaten teams in MLS this season, collecting 14 points from their six matches to sit a point behind the Eastern Conference leaders, the Columbus Crew, who have played an additional game.

Chicago, meanwhile, have taken 11 points from seven matches to sit seventh in the East, having propped up the conference last season.

Speaking to The Overlap US, first-year head coach Gregg Berhalter said of his team's start: "I think it's been okay. The group has shown that we can compete. 

"We still want to start changing the mindset and for us it’s about doing the small things that are going to help us win games more regularly."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Chicago Fire – Philip Zinckernagel

Six of Chicago's last seven goals, including the last five in a row, have been left-footed. Six different players have netted a left-footed goal for the Fire already this season.

Zinckernagel has two this season. Only Hugo Cuypers (five) has scored more goals for the Fire overall.

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Last week's 1-1 draw with FC Toronto was Messi's third straight regular-season match with a goal, and his fifth straight with a goal contribution. 

Since the start of last season, Messi has 35 direct goal contributions (23 goals, 12 assists) in 23 matches, only failing to contribute to a goal five times in that span.

MATCH PREDICTION – INTER MIAMI WIN

Chicago have won only one of their last nine home matches in all competitions (D4 L4) dating back to mid-July 2024. 

The Fire have avoided defeat in four of their last five at home (W1 D3), but they are outsiders for this one.

Miami won both meetings with the Fire last season, including a 4-1 victory in Chicago for their first away win in the series. The Fire had lost only one of the first six meetings between the sides (W4 D1).

The Herons have also won 12 of their last 16 regular-season away matches (D3 L1) dating back to last April, including winning their last four in a row. 

Miami's 39 points over their last 16 away matches equals the most in a span of 16 road games in MLS history (alongside FC Cincinnati in 2023-24, LA Galaxy in 1997-98).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 21.5%

Inter Miami – 56.7%

Draw – 21.8%