“The impact could be even bigger”: Ex-Manchester United midfielder pinpoints new role for Lionel Messi after retirement
Former Manchester United midfielder Kleberson has urged Lionel Messi to undertake the head coach's role once he retires from professional football. The 37-year-old currently represents Inter Miami in the MLS and continues to play for Argentina in international competitions.
There may be doubts regarding his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His club contract also runs out in December 2025. Based on whenever the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner decides to hang his boots, the 45-year-old Brazilian would like to see the legendary player coaching a team.
Speaking to DAZN, Kleberson said:
"The change in the way that people see the MLS since Messi has joined is huge. Everything he brings to the league already as a player from his performances, to viewing figures, to money is unbelievable."
"As a head coach for an MLS team, I think the impact could be even bigger. Obviously, not all great players become great managers, but his chances of success at a team like Miami or someone else are high," he added.
Messi joined the Herons in the summer of 2023 after his contract at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) expired. He's been extremely influential in their good work on the football pitch, bagging 25 goals and 16 assists in 29 appearances across competitions.
Currently, he is recovering from an ankle injury that he sustained during Argentina's 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa America 2024 final on July 14. Inter Miami's next outing is a Leagues Cup group-stage match against Tigres UANL on Saturday (August 3).
When Lionel Messi named the club where he'll finish his career
During an interview in June this year, Lionel Messi said he would finish his career with Inter Miami. However, he failed to tell fans exactly when that would be.
Speaking to ESPN, he said (via Forbes):
"Inter Miami will be my last club. I love playing football. I enjoy everything much more because I am aware that there is less (left to play)."
Whenever the Argentina captain decides to hang his boots, he will have tons of accolades to look back on. Messi won the Copa America twice and the 2022 World Cup for Argentina while securing four UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona. The list goes on.
Messi played 778 matches across competitions for Barcelona, scoring 672 goals and assisting 303 times. He won the La Liga title on 10 occasions with the Catalan outfit, among other honors.