Football legend Lionel Messi recently shared his retirement plans and hinted at when he would say farewell to the beautiful game in a conversation on the Big Time Podcast.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion, who is 36 years old, stated that he is quite aware of his own capabilities and level of enjoyment and that age will not be the deciding factor in his retirement.
“I am very self-critical of myself, I know when I am good, when I am bad, when I play well and when I play badly. When I feel it’s time to take that step, I will take it without thinking about age,” the World Cup winner said.
After you retire?
Lionel Messi: "I haven't thought about that yet. The moment I feel that I will not benefit my team, I will retire." (BIG TIME)🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/xplJSYlIU5
— Latest update On football (@latest94587) March 27, 2024
Lionel Messi became the first player to win the Golden Ball twice, having previously won it in 2014, after his brilliant performances at the 2022 World Cup.
After joining Barcelona at the age of 13, he spent 21 years there before making a surprise exit in 2021. Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, and he played for the club for two mostly seasons at Parc des Princes.
In the summer of 2023, there were growing rumours that the Argentine would return to Camp Nou, but instead, he left Europe to sign with David Beckham’s Inter Miami. He was key in the club’s first-ever trophy success when Inter won the Leagues Cup in 2023.
