Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is quickly adapting to life in Miami as a regular person, going out with friends for drinks and starting new businesses while competing in the Leagues Cup competition between Major League Soccer teams and Mexican Liga MX teams.
He’s won every domestic title at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain; now playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS). But still feels as if his days in football may soon be coming to an end.Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi He’s not ready to retire
Lionel Messi may not have much left to prove to his critics, but that doesn’t stop him from continuing to play football. Last month’s World Cup victory in Qatar added another trophy to an already extensive collection containing LaLiga and Ligue 1 championships as well as seven Ballon d’Or accolades.Lionel Messi
He now plays for Inter Miami of Major League Soccer (MLS), experiencing a new life after two decades with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in Europe. In South Florida preparing for Copa America tournament with his team at the top of their division. So far he has scored 12 goals and 13 assists during his debut year here.
Messi’s teammates are also revelling in his new reality. Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba – former Barcelona teammates now playing Major League Soccer together with him – all enjoy spending time off the pitch together.Lionel Messi
They are working together to ensure this year’s tournament is a success, from sold-out stadiums in Vancouver and Kansas City, to soccer extravaganzas at Arrowhead Stadium and other sites across North America, with Argentina leading by example and drawing huge crowds to each location – adding another level of pressure for a player who usually only transforms into their superhero persona for one day at a time.Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi He’s not ready to stop playing
Lionel Messi has no plans to retire anytime soon. At 36, Argentine superstar is still winning titles with Inter Miami and scoring goals for Argentina; having received eight Ballon d’Or awards over his career. No retirement date has been set but his health will ultimately dictate whether or not he plays at 2026 World Cup co-hosted by US, Canada and Mexico.
Messi has spent much of his career in Europe, winning multiple league titles with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain before making the transition to Major League Soccer (MLS) with Inter Miami last year and immediately bringing success as they won their inaugural League Cup tournament last season. He remains an integral figure for Argentina as they qualify for both Copa America 2021 and World Cup 2022 tournaments this season with 13 goals scored in six appearances thus far this campaign and 11 appearances scored overall this campaign – scoring 13 times across six appearances so far this year alone!
Messi has found new perspectives as his career nears an end, and in an interview with ESPN he shared them. Tearing up when talking about it and not entirely ready to say goodbye yet were among his emotions when discussing why he continued playing in his forties like Tom Brady (NFL), LeBron James and Diana Taurasi (both sports) did so long into their 30s respectively.Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi He’s not ready to stop winning
Record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has brought an exciting new dimension to American soccer since turning 37 last December. Inter Miami, where he plays, is among Major League Soccer’s highest revenue earners and sellout crowds regularly greet him when he takes the field. Messi was instrumental in Argentina winning both Copa America (2023) and World Cup (2022), and will likely do so once more at Copa America (2027), co-hosted this summer by United States.
This week, Argentine star Diego Maradona said he expects Inter Miami to be his final club but left his international future open-ended; including whether he will play at the 2026 World Cup. Maradona still hopes to break his Copa America appearance record, in order to set new marks that are easier for him to attain than those set during European Championships tournaments.Lionel Messi
While he still is adjusting to life in Florida, Messi is finding ways to enjoy and make it his own. He can often be found running errands with Antonella and is frequently approached by fans when out and about in the city. Messi has also made time for spending time with some of Florida’s most recognizable stars including Will Smith, LeBron James, Serena Williams, Daddy Yankee and Kim Kardashian – among many others.Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi He’s not ready to stop scoring
Messi has already amassed four Champions League championships, 10 La Liga championships and seven Ballon d’Or awards over his storied career – but has no plans of stopping there. He will represent Argentina in Atlanta during this summer’s Copa America tournament and says there is much left for him to achieve.
Sunday was his return to Argentina’s field as a second-half substitute in their 1-0 Copa America tuneup win against Ecuador in Miami, just a month after sitting out due to a hamstring injury – one of a string of muscular ailments he’s suffered over the past year.
Actually, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has not set an official date for retirement and leaves open the possibility that he could defend his crown from Qatar in 2026. Additionally, Inter Miami have extended his contract by one season; it expires in 2025 with an option for one more season.
Messi may enjoy his nights out in Miami with former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, but he remains mindful of his mission to spread soccer worldwide. To that end, Messi and Coca-Cola have joined forces in an initiative designed to make football accessible for more people around the globe.
