Inter Miami’s latest recruit Lionel Messi will no doubt want to shake things up in Major League Soccer, but if it wasn’t before, his priority is more than likely to be Argentina.
The veteran World Cup-winner appears to have bid farewell to his career at the top level of club football, but still maintains hope of lifting a major trophy with Albiceleste.
Speaking to Sport, Messi did admit that his Argentina career is unlikely to last more than two more years. Qatar 2022 was, at least in his mind, Messi’s last World Cup.
“I think not. This was my last World Cup. I’ll see how things go, but not in principle, I won’t go to the next World Cup.”
Messi will be 39 when the World Cup kicks off in Canada, Mexico and the USA, it looks as if he will be watching on with the rest of us for the first time since 2002.
The general consensus is that Messi will try to retain the Copa America in 2024 with Argentina, before perhaps calling time on his career internationally too. Currently he has 102 goals and 174 international caps to his name, making him the record-holder in both statistics.
itz_me_ojei
491
One, different from the rest. The Goat 🐐
Shmonny
281
Messi is on duty with Argentina.But guess who is behind him
Yasin103
177
If messi retired to play football. me also retired to see football
itz_me_ojei
38
Leo Messi: “Ballon d’Or? At this point in my career, if it comes, it's good, and if it doesn't, nothing happens.” “Does Ballon d’Or matters to me? No, at this stage in my life, it is no longer important to me. I’ve always said, the individual prizes are not what matters to me, but the collective ones are the most important to me. The most important prize at the moment is the World Cup. This is the greatest prize for me.” Are you still in touch with Pep? “Yes, and he deserved to win the Champions League. He is the best coach in the world.” “As I said earlier, I don't think I will participate in the next World Cup. I haven't changed my mind about that. I'd like to be there to watch it, but I'm not going to participate.” “After I achieved the World Cup that I was missing, I am satisfied and grateful for the career I have made, and this is what is most important to me.” Your advice to next generation players? “I want to tell them that your career will pass very quickly. I'm not a teacher, but I tell you: After your football career is over, you won't get another career, so enjoy it while you're through it." How do you felt when Barça fans chanted your name at Camp Nou? “Even though I wasn't there, they were chanting my name… It was a little strange, but it made great sense. I spent many years there, and so did my kids. I have a deep relationship with Barcelona.” “I think all coaches are different and they have their own styles, but for us Scaloni is a special person for this team, regardless of the good results we always achieve, he reached this thanks to his idea, his work style, his closeness and the way he communicates with the team.”