"Inter Miami is going to be my last club" - Lionel Messi makes honest claim ahead of 2024 Copa America
Lionel Messi has admitted that Inter Miami will be the last club he represents in his storied career. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's comments came ahead of the 2024 Copa America where he will be seeking to help Argentina retain the title later this month.
Lionel Messi hinted towards the beginning of the end when he decided to close the door on European football, joining Inter Miami as a free agent from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on July 15, 2023. He made a bright start to his tenure in America, leading the Herons to the Leagues Cup title.
The Argentine legend signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Inter Miami and is contracted to the club until the end of 2025. Messi will be 38 at the end of that deal and could very well opt to end a legendary career.
Lionel Messi hinted at this in an interview with ESPN (via SportsCenter on X). He was asked:
"Do you assume that there's less left? Do you enjoy it more because of that? I think the world is not prepared for you to quit football. And you?"
With a small smile, Messi replied:
"I've always done this. I love playing football. I enjoy the training, the day-to-day, the games. And yes, a little bit of fear that everything will be over. It always is. It was a difficult step to leave Europe to come here. The fact of being world champion helped a lot. And seeing things differently too."
He added:
"But I don't think about it. I try to enjoy it. That's why I enjoy it even more. Because I'm aware that there's less and less left. And I'm having a good time. I'm having a good time at the club. With the luck that I have to have friends and colleagues by my side. I have a good time with the national team, where I have friends and colleagues too, and a lot of them."
"And I enjoy the little details that when I don't play anymore, I'm going to miss."
The interviewer responded:
"Is your last club Inter?"
To which Messi said (via Fabrizio Romano):
"Inter Miami will be my last club, yes. As of today, it’s gonna be my last one."
The full clip can be viewed below:
Taking a look at Lionel Messi's phenomenal club career
Over the past two decades, Lionel Messi has established himself as one of the greatest players of all time, rivaling Cristiano Ronaldo in the GOAT debate. If the former calls time on his career after his tenure at Inter Miami, he would have plied his trade for three clubs. Let's take quick a look at the stats to see how he performed at Barcelona, PSG, and Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi started his career at Barcelona, rising through the ranks in the youth setup before making his senior debut in 2004. Messi left as a club legend 17 years later, scoring 672 goals and providing 303 assists in 778 appearances across all competitions. He also won a club-record haul of 34 trophies, including 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies.
The Argentine joined PSG in the summer of 2021 due to the Blaugrana's financial woes. He registered 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 appearances across all competitions over the course of two seasons, winning three major trophies.
Lionel Messi has made a bright start to his Inter Miami tenure, in what seems to be the last dance of his career. He has netted 25 goals and registered 16 assists in 29 appearances to date, winning the Leagues Cup since joining last summer.