Lionel Messi has emphasized that his retirement decision won’t be influenced by age. He asserts that he’ll retire when he feels he’s no longer contributing significantly to his team’s success.
Despite being 36 and with his contract at Inter Miami expiring in December 2025, Messi hasn’t specified a retirement timeline.
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“I know that the moment that I know that I’m not performing, that I’m not enjoying myself, that I’m not helping my teammates,” Messi told MBC’s Big Time Podcast.
“I am very self-critical. I know when I am good, when I am bad, when I play well, when I play badly… And when I feel it is time to take that step.
“I will take it without thinking about age. If I feel good, I will always try to continue competing, because it is what I like and what I know how to do.”
Expected to lead his national team at this summer’s Copa América, Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, remains a prominent figure in the football world.
“Had things not gone the way they did [in the tournament in Qatar], I would have left the national team,” Messi said.
Messi is currently sidelined due to a hamstring injury, causing him to miss his national team’s victories over El Salvador and Costa Rica in international friendlies.
According to Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, Messi is the sole player assured of a place in his squad.
“I keep analysing everyone, but no one has a guaranteed place, except for the one who couldn’t be here,” Scaloni said in reference to Messi after Tuesday’s 3-1 win against Costa Rica in Los Angeles.
Recently, Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino remarked that Lionel Messi retains the same fervor for winning as he did during their time together at Barcelona.
In August of 2023, Messi reached a significant milestone in his career by securing his 44th trophy, becoming the most decorated football player of all time as he played a pivotal role in Inter Miami’s triumph in the 2023 Leagues Cup.
“On a sporting level I was lucky to be able to achieve everything in my career, to have achieved my dreams and the truth is that I couldn’t ask for more both from a professional and human level, as well as with my family, my friends. I try to enjoy everything that God has given me so far, which is a lot.”
Messi revealed he has not decided what he will do once he stops playing football.
“The truth is I haven’t thought about it yet,” he said. “Today I try to enjoy the day to day, the moments, without thinking about what comes after.
“I don’t have anything clear yet, I hope to continue playing for a while longer, which is what I like. When the time comes, I will surely find the way to what fulfills me, what I like and a new role.”
