Lionel Messi has sort of given the condition in which he would retire from playing football, the 36-year-old stated that age is not one of the factors that will determine when he will hang his boots.

According to the 2022 World Cup winner, he will continue to push himself on the pitch as long as he enjoys playing the game.

Messi who many have already put an expiration date on his football career to in the next couple years, given that he also transitioned to a less competitive league stated that he has not thought of what he will do when the time to call it quits comes.

The Argentine has a contract with Inter Miami in the United States of America which runs until the end of the year 2025.

“I know that as soon as I believe that I can no longer perform, or no longer enjoy the game, or not able to help my team-mates, then I will stop,” Messi told the podcast Big Time, which was broadcast on Saudi Arabian TV this week.

“I am really self-critical; I know when I am good and when I am bad. So for my retirement, it will not matter what age I am. If I feel good, I will keep playing.

“I hope to continue playing for a while longer, that is my plan. After that, I will try to do something I like in a new role.”

Messi on plans after retirement

Messi was also asked during the podcast what his plans were after he’s finished playing professionally.

“I haven’t thought about it yet. For now, I try to enjoy each day, each moment, without thinking about the future. I don’t have anything clear yet,” Messi said. “I hope to keep playing for a while longer, because that’s what I enjoy. 

When the time comes, I will surely find the path to what fulfils me and what I like, and a new role.”

He also opened up about how her felt when he had to his move from Barcelona a club he had played for since his teenage years.

Messi shared that he had a difficult time at PSG after the shock-exist from the Spanish city in 2021 and noted that he had to rebuild his life.

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