Argentine superstar Lionel Messi says he intends to finish his footballing career at Inter Miami.
Messi, who signed a contract with the MLS team that runs until the conclusion of the 2025 season, spoke with ESPN in an interview that aired on Wednesday.
โYes, as of today, I think itโs going to be my last club,โ Messi told ESPN.
But Messi, who turns 37 on June 24, also added, โIโm not ready to leave football either.โ
With Barcelona, the record eight-time Ballon dโOr winner rose to legendary status as he helped the team win 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League championships.
Messi, who led Argentina to triumphs in the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup, will represent his country in this monthโs Copa America, which will take place in the US.
Messi played for Barcelona from 2004 to 2021, Paris Saint-Germain from 2021 to 2023, and Inter Miami last year. During his early years with the team, Messi helped the team win the Leagues Cup.
โIt was a difficult step to leave Europe to come here,โ Messi said.
โThe fact of having been world champion helped a lot to see things differently also.โ
Messiโs meteoric rise to fame increased MLSโs visibility in the US, with his shirt being the most sought-after by fans of the league and his games consistently selling out anywhere he plays.
Now that the USA, along with Mexico and Canada, will be co-hosting the 2026 World Cup, Messi is thinking about representing his country and the end of his amazing career.
โMy whole life I did this. I love playing ball. I enjoy the training, the day every day, of the matches. A little afraid that everything will end,โ Messi said.
โI try to enjoy. Thatโs why I enjoy everything much more, because Iโm aware that thereโs less and less to go and I have a good time at the club.
โHow lucky I am to have colleagues and friends by my side. I had a good time in the selection, where I have teammates and friends too, and many of them, and I enjoy the little details that I know Iโm going to miss when I donโt play anymore.โ
Photo by EPA/TRENT SPRAGUE