June 20th 2024.
As much as it pains us to admit it, this year's Copa America tournament may very well be the end of an era for Lionel Messi and his time with Argentina's national soccer team. With his 37th birthday approaching, the World Cup champion has certainly seen better days, having spent the last two decades dominating the world's highest level of soccer in Europe.
While Messi has not yet announced a specific retirement date, he has left the possibility open for a sixth World Cup appearance in 2026, hoping to defend his title from the previous tournament in Qatar. However, he has also acknowledged his own limitations, stating in a March interview with Saudi broadcaster Riyad Season, "I don't think about that yet. The moment I feel that I am not going to help my team, I will retire." As he has aged, Messi has become more aware of the physical toll that playing at the highest level takes on his body, making it increasingly difficult to maintain his elite performance.
Last year, the legendary eight-time Ballon d'Or winner struggled with muscular injuries while playing for both his MLS team, Inter Miami, and the Argentine national team. Unfortunately, this trend has continued into 2024, raising concerns about his ability to continue playing at the same level. Despite this, Messi has managed to score 12 goals and provide 13 assists for Inter Miami this season, proving that he still has some magic left in him.
Off the field, Messi seems to be enjoying his time in Miami with his wife, Antonella, and their friends. He also spends quality time with his three children and has even started new business ventures. It is clear that soccer is no longer the sole focus of his life, and he seems to be preparing for a future in which it will play a smaller role.
However, that does not mean that Messi is ready to hang up his boots just yet. He expressed his love for the sport and his teammates in a recent interview with ESPN, saying, "I have a good time at the club. I am lucky to have teammates and friends by my side. I have a good time in the national team, where I have teammates and friends, too. And I enjoy the little details that I know that when I don't play anymore, I'm going to miss."
One of those teammates, Ángel di Maria, has already announced his retirement from international soccer after this year's Copa America. This has sparked speculation about whether Messi will also follow suit. However, for now, his focus remains on the upcoming tournament. In a December interview with the Star Plus platform, he stated, "As long as I feel like I'm fine and I can continue contributing, I'm going to do it. Today, the only thing I think about is getting to the Copa America well and being able to compete in it. Fighting for it again, as we always did, trying to be champions."
As Argentina's all-time top scorer and leader with 26 appearances in World Cup matches, Messi is also chasing records in the continental competition. He is determined to become the Copa America's leading scorer, with 13 goals in six editions, just four behind Norberto Méndez of Argentina and Zizinho of Brazil, who both have 17. He also hopes to break the record for most appearances in the Copa America, currently held by former Chile goalkeeper Sergio Livingston, who played 34 games. Messi has already matched this record and is determined to surpass it.
While Messi's future with the national team remains uncertain, his teammates have made it clear that they do not want to see him go. Argentina defender Cristian Romero expressed his admiration for Messi, saying, "We'll see how long, but while he's here we're going to enjoy it to the fullest." And that is exactly what fans around the world will be doing, savoring every moment of Messi's brilliance on the field, and hoping that this is not truly the end of an era.
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