Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina’s World Cup-winning team, has reportedly decided on the club where he will retire.
After a successful career in European football, the seven-time Ballon d’Or holder chose to join Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami this summer.
However, according to a report from El Nacional, Messi does not plan to retire in the United States, and his current Inter Miami contract, which expires in 2025, suggests he will leave the club two years later.
The report states that Messi intends to end his career at his childhood club, Newell’s Old Boys which is located in his hometown, Rosario.
Lionel Messi’s journey from Newell’s Old Boys to Inter Miami
The 36-year-old Messi began his career at Newell’s Old Boys before leaving at the age of 13 to join Barcelona in Spain.
After spending 20 years in Spain at Barcelona, Messi solidified his status as one of the club’s legends.
Throughout his time at Camp Nou, Messi broke records as the team’s all-time appearance holder and top scorer, scoring an impressive 672 goals in 778 matches.
Additionally, he won four Champions League and 11 La Liga titles while wearing the Barcelona jersey.
However, Messi’s remarkable tenure at Barcelona came to an end in 2021 when the team management was unable to reach a new agreement with the Argentine superstar.
Consequently, Messi decided to join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after his contract expired, becoming a free agent.
Initially, there were rumors of a potential emotional return to Barcelona for Messi this year.
However, all speculation was put to rest when Messi announced his move to the David Beckham MLS club, Inter Miami.
Since his transfer to Inter Miami during the summer, Messi has already made a significant impact.
The Argentine superstar led the team to their first-ever Leagues Cup victory this season, showcasing his prowess on the field and highlighting the remarkable start to his journey with Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi has played 12 matches for the Herons and scored 11 goals across all competitions. In the MLS, he has contributed two assists and scored one goal.
Unfortunately, Messi was unable to participate in Inter Miami’s last game due to an injury, resulting in a 1-2 defeat against Houston Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup final.
Messi reveals he has plans of becoming a sporting director
In a recent interview with Olga, the Argentine media outlet, the World Cup winner expressed his interest in potentially becoming a sporting director in the future.
Many former footballers take on this role to oversee the daily operations of clubs and it appears Messi may join their league.
When asked about his plans ahead of his retirement from football, Messi responded: “What am I going to do? I don’t know. I enjoy everything related to football. I like being with kids, teaching, and even being a sporting director.”
