MIAMI – Worldwide soccer star Lionel Messi is popping 37 years outdated this Monday, only a day earlier than Argentina’s match towards Chile at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which might put “La Albiceleste” on path to Copa America’s quarter finals.
The match might mark Messi’s ultimate chapter with Argentina’s nationwide soccer staff.
Will Messi play the 2026 World Cup within the U.S.?
He is previous his peak at Inter Miami after twenty years of taking part in on the highest degree in Europe.
Messi has not set a date for his retirement and has stored the door open to taking part in in a sixth World Cup in 2026 to defend his title from Qatar. However he already acknowledges his shortcomings.
“I do not take into consideration that but. The second I really feel that I’m not going to assist my staff, I’ll retire,” Messi stated in March in an interview with Saudi broadcaster Riyad Season. “I at all times ate properly, educated. However as I grew I turned conscious that the bodily effort we make is getting more durable. As you develop outdated, issues turn out to be tougher.”
Final yr, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner struggled with muscular accidents whereas taking part in in MLS and for Argentina. That did not change a lot in 2024.
Messi has proven he enjoys going out at night time along with his spouse, Antonella, and his buddies in Miami. He spends time along with his three youngsters, begins new companies and lives as if soccer is slowly changing into a smaller a part of his life.
Nonetheless, he has 12 objectives and 13 assists for Inter Miami this season.
“I’ve an excellent time on the membership. I’m fortunate to have teammates and buddies (Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, all former Barcelona gamers) by my facet,” Messi instructed ESPN. “I’ve an excellent time within the nationwide staff, the place I’ve teammates and buddies, too. And I benefit from the little particulars that I do know that after I do not play anymore, I’ll miss.”
Ángel Di Maria, a 36-year-old winger who has performed alongside Messi for years with the nationwide staff, is certain to bid farewell to worldwide soccer after the Copa America. That has additionally introduced extra questions on whether or not the staff’s largest star will stay on the squad.
“So long as I really feel like I am effective and I can proceed contributing, I’ll do it. Right this moment, the one factor I take into consideration is attending to the Copa America properly and having the ability to compete in it,” Messi instructed the Star Plus platform in December. “Preventing for it once more, as we at all times did, making an attempt to be champions.”
Messi might turn out to be Copa America’s all-time high scorer
Argentina’s all-time high scorer and the nationwide staff’s chief with 26 World Cup appearances can also be in search of data within the continental competitors.
Messi, who gained the South American championship in 2021, needs to turn out to be the Copa America’s main scorer. He has 13 objectives in six editions, 4 behind Norberto Méndez of Argentina and Zizinho of Brazil with 17.
He additionally needs to be the participant with most appearances within the Copa America, a document he at present shares with former Chile goalkeeper Sergio Livingston, each with 34 video games.
Messi’s teammates do not need to see him go.
“We’ll see how lengthy, however whereas he is right here we will take pleasure in it to the fullest,” Argentina defender Cristian Romero stated. “We grew up watching him. We’re a part of these tournaments.”