Lionel Messi talks about potential retirement plans: ‘When I sense that I can no longer deliver on the field’

Lionel Messi, the legendary footballer, has opened up about the possibility of retiring from the sport. While he doesn’t anticipate hanging up his boots anytime soon, Messi acknowledges that he will be able to recognize when the time is right to step away. He has no intention of prolonging his playing career unnecessarily.

In 2022, Messi led Argentina to victory in the World Cup, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. The following year, he received his record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or award, further cementing his legacy. With successful stints at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, the 37-year-old Messi is currently playing for Inter Miami. However, he understands that there will come a day when he must bid farewell to football.

“I know that the moment I feel that I am no longer able to perform, that I no longer enjoy or help my teammates, I will quit,” Messi stated in a recent interview. He is highly self-critical and possesses a keen awareness of his own abilities on the pitch. When he senses that it is time to retire, he will do so without considering his age. As long as he feels good and capable, he will continue to compete because it is his passion and expertise.

Regarding his plans for life after football, Messi admitted, “I haven’t yet thought of what I’m going to do when I retire. Today, I try to enjoy the day-to-day, the moments, without thinking about life after football.”

Messi’s most illustrious period as a player occurred during his 17-year tenure at Barcelona, where he helped the club secure 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies. However, in 2021, due to the club’s financial and political turmoil, he was unable to reach a new contract agreement and departed on a free transfer to join PSG. Leaving Barcelona was a difficult decision for Messi, as he never intended to leave the Catalan club and struggled to come to terms with the sudden change.

“It was difficult to change when I went to PSG because I was doing very well at Barcelona, and I thought I was going to stay there,” Messi confessed. “I wasn’t ready to leave; everything happened very quickly. I had to rebuild my life from one day to the next. I had to get to know another league, another club, a new locker room. It was a change we weren’t looking for, and that’s why it was difficult at the start.”

As Messi continues to grace the football pitch, fans around the world eagerly await his next move and cherish every moment he brings to the game.