Lionel Messi Talks About Retirement, Says Inter Miami Will Be The Last (Image: instagram.com/lionelmessi)

Ahead of the Copa America 2024, which is about to start in next couple of days, Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi dropped a hint about is retirement plans from the club football. The announcement from Messi is possibly shutting the doors on a potential return to the FC Barcelona, his long-term club.

In an Interview to ESPN, the 36-year-old Inter Miami footballer said “I think that Inter Miami is going to be my last club.” He further added that he is having good time with the club and have good teammates and friends. While answering to a question about bidding goodbye to football, he said “I don’t think so either, I love playing the ball, I enjoy practices and day to day games”.

Currently, the Inter Miami forward has racked up 25 goals and 16 assists in 29 competitive appearances, notably winning the Leagues Cup. Moreover, Messi is sharing the pitch with some of his former teammates as Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Many reports say that Messi has no reason to leave Inter Miami, because he got settled well in Miami.

The decision of Messi may be a backlash for the Barcelona fans, who still nurturing the hopes of their favourite player’s homecoming. Messi had left FC Barcelona in 2021, due to financial and structural obstacles between the club and player in reaching an agreement.

In his retirement speech at Barcelona, Messi had said that he hoped to return to the club and make some more contributions to it.

Messi’s contract with Inter Miami is set to expire at the end of 2025 season. Football Analysts say that Messi sets his sights on success not just with Argentina but also with Inter Miami.

(This article is part of a Timeline internship project)