Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, has announced that Inter Miami will be the final club of his illustrious career.
Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami last summer marked the end of an era, as he brought a close to his 20-year stint in Europe.
During his time on the continent, Messi played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, cementing his legacy as a soccer icon.
Now, as he prepares for the final chapter of his playing career, Messi is focused on leading Inter Miami to success and leaving a lasting impact on the sport he loves.
In an exclusive interview with ESPN Argentina, the 36-year-old superstar admitted that “there’s not a lot of time left” in his playing days, signaling that his time on the pitch is drawing to a close.
“I’ve done this all of my life; I love playing ball. I enjoy the practices and the day-to-day, the games.
Yeah, there’s a bit of fear that it’s all ending. It’s always there. It was a difficult step leaving Europe to come here [Miami]”
“The fact we won the World Cup helped, it helped a lot, to see things in another way.
But I try not to think about it. I try to enjoy it. I do that more now because I’m aware that there’s not a lot of time left.
So I have a good time with the club, being lucky having good teammates and friends at my side.
“I enjoy my time with the national team, where I also have good friends, too, and a lot.
I enjoy those small details that I know I’ll miss when I stop playing.”
Messi miss Argentina’s games against El Salvador and Costa Rica in March, and marked his return to the international stage in Argentina’s win over Ecuador on Sunday.
“Argentina is always a favorite and a contender, at Copa America as well as in World Cups.”
“We’re more of a favorite now because of where we’re coming from, having won the last Copa America, the Finalissima and the World Cup — and because of the group of players we have.
“I’ve been training for a few days and what never fails to surprise me is how they practice, the guys’ attitude, the desire to win, the hunger to keep winning.
It’s going to be a difficult Copa America, very balanced as it’s always been, but we have a good chance to again be among the best.”
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Asked what Messi would say to Diego Maradona if the Argentina legend were still alive.
“Obviously, I was sad that he couldn’t experience what we experienced [winning the 2022 World Cup], because I know what he felt for the national team and that he wanted Argentina to be world champion again.”
“We went through a World Cup together which aside from the result was an impressive experience, going through that day-to-day with him, how happy he was, seeing him enjoy being the manager,” he said.
“So I try to remember all the good times that we had together.
I know that he loved me a lot, and I loved him, despite what was said in the media.
“The reality is we had a lot of affection for each other, and since he met me he was always supportive and wanted the best for me.
It was a shame that he couldn’t live to experience it like the rest of the country did.”
With the 2026 World Cup only two years away and Messi having a chance to play in a record sixth.
“I’m not there to set any record or to say that I’ve played in five or six World Cups, no.”
“I never gave much thought to records. It’s a great thing to hold records and continue seeking accomplishments, but I wouldn’t be at a World Cup just to say that I’ve been in six of them.
“If it happens, if I’m doing well and it all happens how it’s supposed to, then perfect. But to be there just because, no.”
Argentina will play Guatemala in a friendly on Friday, June 15, before their opening match of the Copa America against Canada on June 21.
Argentina is the reigning champion of the Copa America and is favored to win again this year.
