Inter Miami and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi has delivered his verdict on retirement as age continues to catch up to him. Having won the FIFA World Cup in 2022, several media outlets and pundits have popped the question to Messi, who has remained coy in his responses.
Throwback to Lionel Messi retirement comments
Messi’s time in Miami has demanded a lot from the player, both on and off the pitch. While his performances on the field have helped Inter Miami be competitive this year, the Argentine was also requested for several interviews.
During one such interview with Big Time Podcast back in March, he revealed that he has not even thought about retiring, as age is not a factor that will determine when he feels ready to call it quits. Messi said,
“The truth is I haven’t thought about it yet. Today, I try to enjoy it day-by-day, enjoy every moment without thinking about it more than that.”
He also mentioned that he lacks clarity in terms of planning for life after football, but is confident he will find something engaging and fulfilling to do post-retirement.
“I don’t have anything clear yet but to keep playing, which is what I’d like to do for a while longer. When the moment arrives, surely, I’ll find the path to whatever fills me with joy and I enjoy and it’ll be a new role.
“The moment that I’m not at the level to deliver, that I’m not enjoying it, that I’m not helping my teammates.”
With the Copa America scheduled to take place this summer, winning another International trophy with Argentina would surely push Lionel Messi to consider hanging up his boots.
Messi’s stunning career for club & country
Lionel Messi broke onto the club football scene as a 16-year-old as he made his senior bow for Barcelona against FC Porto in a friendly in 2003. The following year, manager Frank Rijkaard included the 17-year-old in the first team, and the rest is history.
Messi has made 778 appearances for Barca, scoring a club-record 672 goals and providing 303 assists. With them, he is a 10-time La Liga winner, a seven-time Copa del Rey champion, a four-time UEFA Champions League winner, as well as a three-time Club World Cup champion.
He then joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and made 75 appearances for the club, scoring 32 goals and providing 35 assists. With them, he won Ligue 1 two times.
Now, he represents Inter Miami in the MLS and has made 26 appearances for the club so far, scoring 23 goals and providing 16 assists.
Lionel Messi debuted for his nation back in 2005 and has since made 180 appearances, scoring 106 goals and providing 56 assists, ranking number one in all three categories. He won the Copa America in 2021, before lifting the World Cup in 2022.
Now, any news of Lionel Messi retirement is bound to send shockwaves through the footballing world.
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