During a recent interview on the Big Time Podcast, Lionel Messi from Inter Miami shared his thoughts on the topic of retirement.

The iconic Argentine player appears to be in the twilight of his remarkable career. Following the expiration of his contract with 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 not lost his touch and continues to make significant contributions to his team’s victories. Since moving to Florida, Messi has scored an impressive 16 goals and provided seven assists in 19 games across various competitions.

However, on the downside, the ex-Barcelona player has been dealing with a string of injuries. Currently on the sidelines, he even had to skip Argentina’s matches during the recent international break. This has led to speculations about whether Messi’s illustrious career is coming to a close.

Sharing his thoughts on his future retirement, the legendary eight-time Ballon d’Or winner expressed, “I am quite hard on myself and can easily identify when I am in top form or not. When I sense it is time to hang up my boots, I will do so without worrying about my age.” He went on to explain, “I am aware that the moment I realize I am not capable of giving my best on the field or no longer find joy in playing, it will be time for me to step back and support my teammates in a different way.”

Fans of the soccer legend will be crossing their fingers that Messi sticks around for a bit longer, especially since his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo is still going strong at the ripe age of 39. Throughout his career, Messi has netted an impressive total of 720 goals and provided 345 assists for his team. With 10 La Liga titles under his belt and three Champions League trophies with Barcelona, Messi’s legacy on the pitch is truly remarkable.