The Argentine forward revealed that he has no idea what he would do when the time for retirement comes, but he will not let his age be a determining factor in his plans.
Messi, who spent 17 years playing for Barcelona before joining Inter Miami last year and Paris St. Germain in 2021, will turn 37 in less than three months, but he is certain that his age won’t dictate when he hangs up his boots.
“I know that the moment I feel that I am no longer performing, that I am no longer enjoying it or helping my teammates (I will retire),” Messi told the Big Time podcast in an interview published on Wednesday.
“I am very self-critical. I know when I am doing well, when I am not, when I play well and when I play poorly. When I feel it’s time to take that step, I will do it without thinking about age.
“If I feel good, I will try to continue competing because it’s what I like and what I know how to do.”
Asked whether he had started to think about what he does next, the record eight-times Ballon D’Or winner had no straight answer.
“I haven’t thought about it yet. For now, I try to enjoy each day, each moment, without thinking about the future. I don’t have anything clear yet,” Messi said.
“I hope to keep playing for a while longer, because that’s what I enjoy. When the time comes, I will surely find the path to what fulfils me and what I like, and a new role.”
Messi missed Argentina’s friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica in the United States this month due to a hamstring injury.
