Ronaldo Reportedly in Talks to Join Messi at Inter Miami

Real Madrid also considering new contract offer for Vinicius Jr. amid transfer interest

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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According to reports, Cristiano Ronaldo is in talks to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami CF in MLS, while Real Madrid is working to keep Vinicius Jr. with an improved contract offer amid interest from other clubs.

Why it matters

The potential move of Ronaldo to MLS would be a major coup for the league and Inter Miami, reuniting two of the greatest players of their generation. Meanwhile, Real Madrid's efforts to retain Vinicius Jr. highlight his importance to the club and the intense competition for top talent across Europe.

The details

Ronaldo's future remains uncertain after his recent move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, with Inter Miami reportedly plotting a bid to lure him to MLS to play alongside Lionel Messi. Real Madrid, meanwhile, is prepared to let defender David Alaba leave in order to free up the wages needed to improve their contract offer to Vinicius Jr., who has attracted interest from other top clubs.

  • Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia in January 2023.
  • Real Madrid is currently negotiating a new contract with Vinicius Jr.

The players

Cristiano Ronaldo

A Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward and is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time.

Lionel Messi

An Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward and is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, alongside Ronaldo.

Vinicius Jr.

A Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Real Madrid and is considered one of the top young talents in world football.

David Alaba

An Austrian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Real Madrid.

Inter Miami CF

A professional soccer club based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that plays in Major League Soccer (MLS).

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What’s next

Inter Miami will continue to pursue Cristiano Ronaldo, while Real Madrid will work to finalize a new contract with Vinicius Jr. in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The potential move of Ronaldo to MLS and Real Madrid's efforts to retain Vinicius Jr. highlight the intense competition for top talent in global football, with clubs willing to make significant financial commitments to secure the services of the sport's biggest stars.