Lionel Messi, the Argentine captain, has made it clear that age will not factor into his decision to retire from professional football. Despite being 36 years old, Messi believes that the right time to end his playing career will be when he no longer contributes as necessary to his team’s success. In an interview with MBC’s Big Time Podcast, Messi expressed his self-critical nature, stating that he knows when he is performing well or poorly, and when he is no longer enjoying himself on the field. When that time comes, he will make the decision to retire, regardless of his age.
As an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Messi has achieved immense success in his career, including leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022. Despite his numerous accolades, Messi remains focused on continually trying to compete at the highest level as long as he feels good and enjoys the game. Currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, Messi missed Argentina’s recent international friendly matches against El Salvador and Costa Rica. However, his importance to the national team was highlighted by coach Lionel Scaloni, who stated that Messi is the only player with a guaranteed place in the squad.
Looking ahead, Messi has not made any decisions regarding his post-football career. He emphasized that he is focused on living in the present moment and enjoying every aspect of his life without worrying about the future. Despite not having a clear plan for retirement, Messi hopes to continue playing for a while longer, emphasizing his love for the game and his desire to compete at the highest level.
Lionel Messi’s approach to retirement is unique in that he focuses on his performance and enjoyment of the game rather than his age. With a successful career filled with achievements and accolades, Messi remains committed to playing as long as he feels good and contributes to his team’s success. His self-critical nature and love for the game will likely guide him in making the right decision when the time comes to retire.