Messi retirement dismissed with ‘desire’ to play at 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Luis Suarez has said Inter Miami teammate Lionel Messi has no plans to retire and that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has his sights set on next summer’s World Cup.

In an interview last month, Messi discussed a potential retirement and said he will ‘know’ when the time is right to call time on his illustrious career.

“I know that the moment I feel that I am no longer able to perform, that I no longer enjoy or help my team-mates, I will quit,” he said in an interview.

“I’m very self-critical. I know when I’m good, when I’m bad, when I’m playing well, and when I’m playing badly. When I feel it’s time to take that step, I’ll take it without thinking about age. If I feel good, I’ll always try to keep competing because it’s what I like and what I know how to do.”

Messi has started the new MLS season in good form with eight goals in 10 games across all competitions. Suarez said his 37-year-old teammate has no intention of quitting the game anytime soon and that Messi has ambitions to defend the World Cup next summer.

Messi won the Golden Ball as Argentina lifted the trophy in 2022 and is keen to play at next summer’s tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States.

“Retirement? Leo Messi has that desire to play at the World Cup 2026 with Argentina,” Suarez told Ovacion.

“We’re not discussing retirement as a plan to activate anytime soon.”

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