Lionel Messi isn't even close to done with the sport he loves: Inter Miami manager Kily Gonzalez inspires hope among fans
Messi has retired from his national team, but he isn't hanging up his cleats anytime soon, it doesn't appear.
It's done and dusted: Lionel Messi 's national team career with Argentina has come to an end. On Tuesday night, a packed crowd at El Monumental in Buenos Aires said goodbye to Messi. As he showed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup , Messi can still dominate while wearing Argentina's colors.
But Messi himself has said a couple of times now that it's time to let the younger generation take over and start a new renovation process under manager Lionel Scaloni . Given that his international career has come to an end, fans have wondered if Messi is ready to call it quits on his club career sooner than imagined, too.
When Messi posted for the first time following his father's death, he sparked concern due to saying that he wasn't sure how much longer he'd continue playing the game he loves without his number one fan, his father Jorge Messi . Thankfully, everything is pointing to Messi continuing his club career for a while still.
Lionel Messi sounds likely to keep playing, possibly until 2030
A report from Argentinian reporter Gaston Edul recently suggested Messi could continue playing all the way until 2030 . Messi currently has no plans of retiring any time soon. His contract with Inter Miami is set to expire at the end of the 2028 MLS season .
If further evidence of Messi wanting to keep playing is needed, Inter Miami manager Kily Gonzalez eased fans' concerns during his latest press conference.
He is a natural-born competitor; you see it in every training session, and it’s hard to believe he’s 39 years old. He is constantly seeking that challenge. That is fantastic for everyone—not just his teammates, but the staff and the club as well. He pushes you to be better every day... That compels us—I repeat, it compels us—to improve daily and be prepared in every way. He is happy and content. I see him enjoying himself, and that makes me very happy, too.
A happy Messi is one that's playing the sport he loves . It sounds like he's going to continue to do it until his body tells him it's time to give it up. Given how he's currently playing, that moment isn't coming for a long while.
