I’ll Retire When I Can’t Help My Team — Messi

Lionel Messi has said age will not play a factor in his decision to retire and that he will know when it is right to call time on his playing career as he will not be contributing as necessary to his team’s success.

The Argentina captain, 36, has not given an indication as to when he will retire, with his deal at Inter Miami ending in December 2025.

“I know that the moment that I know that I’m not performing, that I’m not enjoying myself, that I’m not helping my teammates,” Messi told MBC’s Big Time Podcast.

“I am very self-critical. I know when I am good, when I am bad, when I play well, when I play badly… And when I feel it is time to take that step, I will take it without thinking about age. If I feel good, I will always try to continue competing, because it is what I like and what I know how to do.”

An eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, is expected to lead his national team at this summer’s Copa América.

“Had things not gone the way they did [in the tournament in Qatar], I would have left the national team,” Messi said.

Messi is sidelined with a hamstring injury and missed his national team’s two international friendly wins over El Salvador and Costa Rica.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi is the only player to have a guaranteed place in his squad.