Inter Miami’s star forward Lionel Messi won’t make a decision on retirement based on his age. Instead, he will let his performance tell him when it’s time to bow out from professional soccer.
During a recent appearance on Big Time podcast, Messi said that he will continue playing as long as feels good and is able to perform at a high level.
“I know that as soon as I believe that I can no longer perform, or no longer enjoy the game, or not able to help my team-mates, then I will stop,” Messi, who turns 37 in June, said when asked about retirement. “I am really self-critical; I know when I am good and when I am bad. So for my retirement, it will not matter what age I am. If I feel good, I will keep playing.”
Messi made his professional debut with La Liga powerhouse Barcelona in 2004. He went on to establish himself as one of the best players in the history of the game, winning 34 trophies in his 17 years with the club. He left Barca in 2021 for a two-year stint with Paris Saint-Germain before joining Inter Miami in 2023.
Despite being on the back end of his career, Messi continues to be the best player on the field at any given moment. In five games he played for Miami in 2023, he has five goals and two assists. The Argentina national team captain is currently out with a muscular injury and is scheduled to return to action at some point in early April.
