MIAMI: Lionel Messi will not make his age a determining factor in when he retires.
The Argentine national team striker said he didn’t know what he would do when that moment arrived.
Messi, who played for 17 years at Barcelona before joining Paris St Germain in 2021 and Inter Miami last year, will turn 37 on June 24.
“I knew when I could no longer perform well, when I no longer enjoyed playing football or helping my teammates,” Messi told the Big Time podcast in an interview published on Wednesday (27 March).
“I’m very critical of myself. I know when I’m in top condition, when I’m not, when I’m playing well and when I’m playing bad. When I feel it’s time to take that step, I’ll retire without thinking about age.
“If I feel good, I will try to continue playing because it is what I like and what I know how to do.” continued the winner of the 2022 World Cup crown.
Asked whether he had started thinking about what he would do next, the eight-time Ballon D’Or winner did not give a firm answer
“I haven’t thought about it yet. Right now, I’m trying to enjoy every day, every moment, without thinking about the future. I don’t have any plans about that yet,” added Messi.
“I hope to continue playing for some more time, because that’s what I enjoy. When the time comes, I will definitely find a new path and role.”
Messi missed Argentina’s friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica in the United States this month due to a hamstring injury.
