Messi Discusses Argentina Retirement, Admits He’s Into ‘The Last Years’ Of His Career

Lionel Messi, who is headed to Inter Miami, has acknowledged that his retirement from Argentina “will be soon” after approaching “the last years” of his career.

Messi firmly vowed to carry on playing as a champion in albiceleste colours after leading Argentina to their third world championship in Qatar.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Moment Messi Lands In Miami Ahead of MLS Debut

But he had stated before the event that he wouldn’t return for the world championship in 2026, and he reaffirmed that position last month when he announced his upcoming transfer to MLS team Inter Miami.

He reiterated that he is in the last stretch of his career and that his international retirement “will be soon” but did not provide a specific time frame during an interview on TV Publica where he was questioned by his Argentina national team colleagues.

When asked when he will stop playing for the Argentina national team by Exequiel Palacios, Messi replied: “Honestly, I don’t know until when. I think it will happen when it has to happen. After having achieved everything recently, the only thing left to do is to enjoy. God will say when that moment will come.

“Logically, because of my age, I’m sure it will be soon. But I don’t know exactly when will be the right time. I think about the day-to-day, enjoying everything beautiful. We had to go through very hard times in the national team.

“We were fortunate enough to be World Cup and Copa America champions. It’s time to enjoy,” he added.

While all was going on, Paulo Dybala questioned Messi’s humanity and whether he gave any thought to his accomplishments in the game.

“When you are always competing, when you always have goals ahead of you, you don’t value much what you really deserve, what you are achieving,” he said.

“I am at a moment in my career where I enjoy everything that happens to me and I value everything much more because I know that these are the last years.

“But I think that when I retire and I’m not playing anymore, I will value all of this much more. And even more so the fact of being a World champion, which will last a lifetime, especially in a country like ours, that is so fond of football, so grateful for it.”

Messi has already arrived in Florida and will be introduced as a new Inter Miami player on July 16 at 8 p.m. ET during a “major unveiling event.”