During a recent appearance on the Big Time Podcast, Inter Miami’s standout player Lionel Messi discussed his thoughts on retirement.

The legendary Argentine soccer player appears to be in the twilight of his remarkable career. Following the expiration of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain, he made the decision to join the MLS in the summer of 2023.

Despite being 36 years old, the World Cup champion has continued to make a significant impact on his team’s performance. Since arriving in Florida, Messi has scored 16 goals and provided seven assists in 19 games across various competitions.

However, Messi has encountered challenges with injuries recently. He is currently on the sidelines and was unable to participate in Argentina’s matches during the latest international break. This has led to speculation about whether Messi is approaching the conclusion of his football career.

Discussing his future retirement, the eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient shared his thoughts, stating that he is highly self-aware of his performance on the field. He mentioned that when he recognizes that his time to retire has come, he will do so without considering his age. Additionally, he emphasized that he will know when he is no longer able to contribute positively to his team and when he no longer finds joy in playing.

Devotees of the legendary footballer are eager for Messi to keep playing for a while longer, especially since his longtime competitor Cristiano Ronaldo is still excelling at 39. Throughout his career, Messi has netted 720 goals for his senior club and provided 345 assists. He has won the La Liga title 10 times and secured the UEFA Champions League trophy three times with Barcelona.