Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine footballer, has recently opened up about his future plans, ruling out a potential career in coaching after retirement. In an interview with Fabrizio Romano for Apple TV, the 37-year-old Inter Miami star expressed his desire to continue playing and enjoying the game.
“I’m not planning to become a manager when I retire. This is not something I’m considering,” Messi stated unequivocally. “I value a lot more than before everything I do daily, so the only thing that I’m thinking about is playing, training, and enjoying myself.”
Despite his advanced age, Messi remains a vital part of Inter Miami, leading the team to the top of the Eastern Conference table. However, injuries have limited his appearances this season. The presence of fellow veterans Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba has compensated for Messi’s absence, contributing to Miami’s success.
When asked about his participation in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in North America, Messi expressed uncertainty. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I hope to have a good end of the season and then a good preseason, something I didn’t have last season because of all the traveling we did.”
“From then on, I want to see what happens, to see how I feel. A lot of things always happen in football. There’s still a long way to go, so I’m not thinking too much about it. I’m going to live day by day without thinking too much about the future.”
In the final game of the regular season, Messi showcased his brilliance with a hat-trick in Inter Miami’s 6-2 victory over the New England Revolution. He finished the season with an impressive tally of 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 matches, becoming the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.
