Lionel Messi drops retirement hint
Argentinian forward has amassed an impressive collection of 42 trophies throughout his illustrious career
Lionel Messi has stated that he won't let his age dictate his retirement plans, expressing uncertainty about his future once that moment arrives.
Argentinian forward Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, has amassed an impressive collection of 42 trophies throughout his illustrious career.
These include ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey victories, four Champions League triumphs, a World Cup, and a Copa America.
Additionally, the diminutive Argentine has clinched an unprecedented eight Ballon d’Or awards, three more than his closest competitor, Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, approaching his 37th birthday this summer, Messi finds himself in the twilight phase of his career, currently playing for MLS outfit Inter Miami.
Speaking on his retirement plans, Messi told Big Time: "I know that the moment I feel that I am no longer able to perform, that I no longer enjoy [playing] or [can] help my teammates, I will quit.
"I'm very self-critical of myself, I know when I'm good, when I'm bad, when I'm playing well and when I'm playing badly.
"When I feel it's time to take that step, I'll take it without thinking about age. If I feel good, I'll always try to keep competing because it's what I like and I know how to do.”
Messi added: "I haven't yet thought of what I'm going to do when I retire. Today I try to enjoy the day-to-day, the moments, without thinking about life after [football].
"I'm not sure about anything yet, I hope to keep playing for a while longer, which is what I like to do. When the time comes, I will surely find a way to fulfil myself and do what I like, and [find] a new role.
"On a sporting level I was lucky enough to be able to achieve all my dreams and the truth is that I can't ask for more. Thank God he gave me [everything] both professionally and on a human level, as well as my family, and my friends.
"I try to enjoy everything God has given me so far, which is a lot.”
In the same interview, Messi discussed the occasion when he departed Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain, following constraints imposed by Financial Fair Play regulations which rendered it unfeasible for the Spanish giants to retain the Argentine.
"It was difficult to change [clubs] when I went to PSG because I was very well at Barcelona and I thought I was going to stay there.
"I wasn't ready to leave, everything happened very quickly. I had to rebuild my life from one day to the next. I got to know another league, another club, a new locker room. It was a change we weren't looking for and that's why it was difficult at the beginning.”
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