Lionel Messi stated that Inter Miami is going to be his “last club” and admitted that “there is not much time left” in his career.
Messi, 36, joined Inter Miami last summer, ending a 20-year stint in Europe in which he played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 14 goals in all competitions for an Inter Miami side that tops the Eastern Conference this season.
Messi was joined by his former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in Miami and told ESPN Argentina in an exclusive interview that he believes “it's going to be my last club.”
Messi is Barcelona's top scorer with 672 goals and scored 32 goals and recorded 35 assists in his two seasons at PSG. In a storied career that has seen him win 40 trophies for club and country, including four Champions Leagues and a Copa América title, his greatest glory is the World Cup he won with Argentina in 2022.
In an interview with ESPN that will air on Wednesday, Messi said the win in Qatar gave him a new perspective on his career.
“I have done this all my life; I love playing ball. I enjoy the practices and the day to day life, the games. Yes, there is a little fear that everything will end. It is always there. It was a difficult step when leaving Europe to come here [Miami],” he said.
“The fact that we won the World Cup helped, helped a lot, to see things differently. But I try not to think about that. I try to enjoy it. I do it more now because I am aware that there is not much time left so I do it I am having a good time at the club, being lucky to have good teammates and friends by my side.
“I enjoy my time with the national team, where I also have a lot of good friends. I enjoy those small details that I know I will miss when I stop playing.”
While injuries caused Messi to miss Argentina's matches against El Salvador and Costa Rica in March, he remains an integral part of the team's chances of retaining the Copa América later this summer and marked his return to the international stage in the Argentina's victory over Ecuador on Sunday.
“Argentina is always a favorite and a contender, both in the Copa América and in the World Cups,” Messi said. “Now we are more favorites because of where we come from, after having won the last Copa América, the Finalísima and the World Cup, and because of the group of players we have.
“I've been training for a few days and what never ceases to surprise me is how they practice, the attitude of the boys, the desire to win, the hunger to keep winning. It's going to be a difficult Copa América, very balanced as it always has been, but We have a good chance of being among the best again.”
Messi also spoke about the comments made by Real Madrid and France star Kylian Mbappé in the comparison of competitive levels between the European Championship and the World Cup.
“Well, everyone prioritizes their tournament,” Messi said. “Obviously, the Euro Cup is very important and has the best teams, but it leaves out the three-time champion Argentina, the five-time champion Brazil, the two-time champion Uruguay. There are many world champions who are left out to say that it is the Euro Cup.” Most difficult tournament.
“The best teams play in the World Cup, which usually includes all the world champions. There is a reason why everyone wants to be champions.”
When asked what Messi would say to Diego Maradona if the Argentine legend were still alive, Messi said he tries to “remember all the good times.”
“Obviously, I was sad that he couldn't experience what we experienced. [winning the 2022 World Cup]”Because I know how he felt about the national team and that he wanted Argentina to be world champions again,” Messi said.
“We spent a World Cup together that, beyond the result, was an impressive experience, living that day to day with him, how happy he was, seeing him enjoy being a coach,” he said.
“So I try to remember all the good times we had together. I know he loved me very much and I loved him despite what was said in the media.
“The reality is that we were very fond of each other and since he met me he always supported me and wanted the best for me. It was a shame that he couldn't experience it like the rest of the country experienced.” “.
With just two years until the 2026 World Cup and Messi having the opportunity to play for a record sixth place, he was still noncommittal about whether or not he would participate in the tournament to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“I'm not there to break any record or to say that I've played in five or six World Cups, no,” Messi said. “I never thought much about records. It's great to have records and keep looking for achievements, but I wouldn't be at a World Cup just to say I've been to six of them.
“If it happens, if it goes well for me and everything happens the way it's supposed to be, then perfect. But being there just because, no.”
