Lionel Messi opens up about his future, retirement plans, the 2026 World Cup, and his aspirations for Inter Miami’s MLS success.
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n a revealing interview on Thursday with Fabrizio Romano for ‘433’, Argentine football icon Lionel Messi reflected on his future in the sport, the potential for a role post-retirement, and his current goals with Inter Miami.
Known for his extraordinary career and unwavering focus on football, Messi shared a rare glimpse into his long-term vision, addressing everything from coaching to his dreams for Inter Miami in the MLS.
Also read: Messi wins 46th trophy as Miami clinch MLS Supporters’ Shield
Despite his deep-rooted passion for football, Messi remains firm about one thing—he has no desire to enter the world of coaching once his playing days are over.
“I wouldn’t like to be a coach. But I’m still not sure what I’d like to do in the future,” he admitted. “I value much more than before everything I do on a day-to-day basis, so I just think about playing, training, and having fun.”
Messi also responded to the question on everyone’s mind: will he be playing in the 2026 World Cup? Expressing uncertainty, Messi explained, “The truth is that I don’t know.
I’ve been asked several times, especially in Argentina. I hope to have a good end of the season and then a good pre-season… I want to see what happens, to realise how I feel.”
Reflecting on his storied legacy, Messi expressed immense gratitude for the journey he has had. “Let people remember me as they want.
My biggest dream was to win the World Cup, which I fought for a long time and which cost me a lot of effort… I am very grateful to God for everything I have been through.”
Turning to his ambitions with Inter Miami, Messi celebrated the club’s recent regular season victory, noting that their ultimate goal remains the MLS title.
“We are aware that the real title we want is the MLS,” Messi explained. “During the year, we had many very silly mistakes…
In these playoffs, they cannot happen because they can cost you elimination. I think we are one of the favourites. The other teams also respect us.”
Messi praised Inter Miami’s forward-thinking approach, describing the team’s vision as limitless. “The club does not set limits; that is the philosophy,” he emphasised. “
We have to keep growing in order to be great within the MLS and, why not, within the world.”
As Messi savours each moment on the field and considers what lies beyond, his fans and the football world eagerly await what the next chapter holds for this living legend.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
