Washington: Argentina’s legendary footballer Lionel Messi has not yet thought about retirement and says age will not be a deciding factor in his decision to end his playing career. The 36-year-old player said that he will end his career only if he feels that he is unable to contribute.
“I know the moment I feel like I’m no longer performing, I’m not enjoying it or helping my teammates,” Messi said in an interview with the Big Time Podcast on Wednesday. I am, I will retire.
He (Lionel Messi) said, I am very self-critical. I know when I am doing well, when not, when I play well and when I play poorly. When I feel the time has come to take this step, I will do so without thinking about age. If I feel good, I will try to continue competing because it is what I love and I know how to do it.
Messi, who led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar under his captaincy, said he has achieved everything that was expected in football. In the World Cup, Messi scored two goals in the final against France and won the Golden Ball, given to the best player of the tournament.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said, I have not thought about retirement yet. For now, I try to enjoy every day, every moment, without thinking about the future. I don’t have anything clear yet. I hope to keep playing for a while longer, because that’s what I enjoy. When the time comes, I will definitely find a way to a new role.
Messi has scored 16 goals and provided seven assists in 19 matches for his current club Inter Miami. He joined the club on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last July.
