Inter Miami and Argentina captain Lionel Messi has offered a candid insight into how he views the end of his playing career, admitting he will only retire when his body or passion for football begins to fade.
In an interview, the 37-year-old World Cup winner stressed that he has no immediate plans to stop playing, emphasizing his continued joy and physical readiness for the game.
“As long as I can play and I’m in good shape, I will continue,” Messi said. “But when I feel that my body is no longer working properly or that I’m no longer enjoying it, that will be the right time to stop.”
Messi’s comments come amid growing speculation about how much longer the Argentine legend will remain on the pitch. Having already lifted nearly every major trophy available — including the World Cup, Copa América, four Champions League titles, and a record eight Ballon d’Ors — the forward continues to perform at a high level in Major League Soccer and for his national team.
Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi has revitalized the American side both on and off the field, contributing goals, assists, and an unprecedented rise in global attention for the MLS. His influence in the U.S. has also sparked questions about whether he might finish his career there or return to boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina — a move he has described in the past as a “dream.”
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For now, however, Messi’s focus remains on performing and enjoying the sport that has defined his life. “I’ve always said that football gives me happiness,” he added. “When that joy disappears or when I can’t compete at the level I want, that will be the moment to step aside.”
While retirement may still be a distant thought, Messi’s reflection underscores the awareness of an athlete who knows his limits yet continues to push them — a fitting mindset for one of the greatest players in football history.
