Inter Miami’s superstar Lionel Messi recently discussed his thoughts on retirement during an interview on the Big Time Podcast.

The Argentine superstar seems to be approaching the final stages of his illustrious career as he made the decision to join the MLS in the summer of 2023 once his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired.

Despite being 36 years old, the World Cup winner continues to make significant contributions to his team’s success. Since moving to Florida, Messi has scored 16 goals and provided seven assists in 19 appearances across various competitions.

However, the former Barcelona star has been struggling with injuries recently. He is currently sidelined and even missed Argentina’s matches during the international break, prompting questions about whether Messi is nearing the end of his career.

Speaking candidly about his retirement plans, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner expressed, “I am quite critical of myself; I can recognize when I am performing well or poorly. When the time comes for me to retire, I will do so without letting my age hold me back.”

He continued, “I am aware that there will come a moment when I no longer feel prepared to play, when I am not finding joy in the game or contributing to my team.”

Fans of the soccer legend will be hoping that Messi continues to play for a few more years, especially since his rival Cristiano Ronaldo is still performing at a high level at the age of 39. Throughout his career, Messi has scored a total of 720 goals and provided 345 assists for his senior club. He has won the La Liga title 10 times and lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy three times with Barcelona.