Lionel Messi to retire from football next year? Here's the truth

Lionel Messi, one of the greatest soccer stars to grace the football pitch and the worthy heir of Pele and Maradona, has all but hinted that he would retire from the active club career next year. The 36-year-old World Cup champion isn't thinking about joining an Argentine club to write the final chapter of an illustrious playing career that spans from the heydays of Barcelona, bitter fall out at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to seemingly fairy-tale denouement at Inter Miami.

"I think Inter Miami is going to be my last club. Today I think it is going to be my last club," Argentina soccer team captain Messi said in an interview with ESPN.

Messi's contract with Inter Miami is set to expire at the end of the 2025 season. It is yet to be known whether there will be an extension of that contract or not as neither Messi or Inter Miami authority has chosen to divulge too many details.


The former Barcelona star has nothing left to prove in the game and filled the only significant unchecked box on his resume by leading Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar in 2022. He has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards and left European football last year to join the MLS club.

Millions of Argentine fans hoped Messi would close his career with Newell's Old Boys, the club where he began his training as a child in his native city of Rosario. The star said he's trying to enjoy the final stretch of his career to the fullest.

As for the international career, Messi is preparing with his national team to compete in the Copa América 2024 in the United States. Argentina is the defending champion.

Reigning FIFA World Cup and Copa America Champions Argentina captain Messi has also said he would not be part of La Albiceleste squad for the Paris Olympics 2024 as he is no longer at an age where he can play in every tournament.

Earlier in February this year, under-23 manager Javier Mascherano said Messi, who won gold with Argentina at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, had an invitation to join the squad for Paris. The men's football tournament at the Olympics takes place in July and August. Teams are allowed three overage players in their squads.

Messi's fans across the globe would love to witness LM10 finish off in style!

FAQs:

Q1. What is the age of Lionel Messi?
A1. Lionel Messi is 36-year-old.

Q2. Which is Lionel Messi's first club in Argentina?
A2. Newell's Old Boys is Lionel Messi's first club in Argentina.