MIAMI.- The Argentine star Lionel Messi said that he plans to close his legendary football career as a player of the Inter Miamiwith whom he has a contract until the end of the 2025 MLS season.
“Today, I think (Inter Miami) is going to be my last club, yes,” Messi declared in an interview with the ESPN network that will be broadcast this Wednesday.
‘La Pulga’, 36 years old, is concentrated with the Argentine team that will begin the defense of the Copa América title in the United States on June 20.
In a preview of the interview, the Albiceleste captain acknowledges that he does not feel ready to hang up his boots after two decades of professional career in which he was recognized with eight Ballon d’Or awards.
“I’ve done this all my life. I love playing ball. I enjoy the training, the day-to-day life, the games. There’s always a little fear that it’s all over,” he admitted.
A year ago, Messi caused an earthquake in the world of football by announcing the end of his career in European football, where he played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, to move to the United States.
The Argentine, who never played in the highest category of soccer in his country, said months ago that he was right to move to Miami, a decision he made with his family in search of a lower-pressure environment.
It caused an undeniable impact:
At Inter, where he is surrounded by former Barcelona teammates such as Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, Messi commanded victory last year in the Leagues Cup, the joint tournament between the North American and Mexican leagues.
At this start of the season, Messi has 12 goals and 13 assists in 12 games for an Inter that leads the general classification in search of the first league title in its history.
“It was a difficult step to leave Europe to come here,” acknowledged the Argentine. “The fact of having been world champion (in Qatar 2022) helped a lot to see things differently as well.”
“But I don’t think about it, I try to enjoy it. That’s why I enjoy everything much more, because I am aware that there is less and less to go and I have a good time at the club with the luck that I have to have teammates and friends by my side,” he said.
“I have a good time in the national team, where I have teammates and friends too. And I enjoy the small details that I know that when I don’t play anymore I will miss,” he added.
Source: AFP
