At 36, Lionel Messi finally set retirement date

Lionel Messi has said age will not play a factor in his decision to retire and that he will know when it is right to call time on his playing career as he will not be contributing as necessary to his team’s success.

The Argentina captain, 36, has not given an indication as to when he will retire, with his deal at Inter Miami ending in December 2025.

“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.”

An eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, is expected to lead his national team at this summer’s Copa América.

Messi suffered an injury during Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup match against Nashville. Photo by Brennan Asplen/Getty Images
“Had things not gone the way they did [in the tournament in Qatar], I would have left the national team,” Messi said.

Messi is sidelined with a hamstring injury and missed his national team’s two international friendly wins over El Salvador and Costa Rica.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi is the only player to have a guaranteed 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.

Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino recently said Messi has the same desire to win now as he had when he coached him at Barcelona.

Messi became the most decorated football player of all time when he won his 44th trophy after helping Inter Miami lift the 2023 Leagues Cup in August.

“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 said 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.”