Lionel Messi, the captain of the Argentina national team and a World Cup winner, has openly acknowledged that he is uncertain about when he will ultimately retire from international football.
“Even I don’t know when. It’ll happen when it happens,” the 36-year-old said in an interview broadcast on Argentine television on Wednesday.
“After winning everything I want to enjoy the moment and wait for time to tell me when it’s the moment,” said the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“Logically, given my age, one would expect it to be soon, but I don’t know for sure.
“Now that we are American champions (Argentina won the 2021 Copa America) and world champions we have to enjoy that.”
Messi restated his previous statements that it was unlikely for him to be part of Argentina’s squad in their defense of the World Cup title in 2026.
The interview took place in China last month, where Messi achieved the fastest goal of his career, scoring within 79 seconds during a friendly match against Australia in Beijing.
Recently, Messi arrived in Florida to finalize his transfer to the US Major League Soccer club, Inter Miami, from Paris Saint-Germain.
The signing of a two-and-a-half year contract, reportedly valued at $60 million per year, is anticipated, and he is set to be officially presented to fans during a stadium event on Sunday.