Lionel Messi has confirmed that Inter Miami will be his final professional club, before he retires from football. The Argentine made the move to the MLS last summer after spending two years with PSG, and now plans to see out the rest of his career in the USA.
“As of today, I think it’s going to be my last club,” the forward told ESPN.
“I’m not ready to leave football either,” he added.
Lionel Messi reveals plans to retire at Inter Miami
🚨 Leo Messi: “Inter Miami will be my last club, yes. As of today, it’s gonna be my last one”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 12, 2024
“I love playing football, I enjoy everything much more because I am aware that every time there’s less and less”, told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/xpKUxCB0lS
The 2022 World Cup winner will be turning 37 this year, and has a busy summer ahead with the Copa America lined up. He will not be playing at the Olympics as it will be too much for him to handle alongside his club duties.
This season, Lionel Messi has scored 12 goals in as many MLS games, while also providing nine assists. The eight-time Ballon d’or winner is still one of the best players in the league, but has admitted that he isn’t at the level that he achieved while playing in Europe.
Fans have been eager to see Messi return to Barcelona for at least one final game before he retires. There have also been talks of a return to Newell’s Old Boys, but it now seems unlikely that he would try another spell in his home country, before he ultimately hangs up his boots.
Messi recently spoke about the possibility of playing the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held across North America. And considering how open ended he was, we might see the Argentine at least play for two more years.
