Messi: 'I will try to play as long as possible'

In an interview on Apple TV, Messi said that the decision to choose Inter Miami was the right one, because he felt happy to play for this club. "I still want to play, I want to touch the ball, I want to train and fight," he added. "The most important thing for me right now is to enjoy football, and I don't want to have any regrets. I still have too much time to analyze and choose my future."

Although at the age of 36, Messi is leading the race to win the Golden Ball 2023, according to Marca. The Argentine captain also helped Miami win the first title in the team's history, with the Leagues Cup championship. Messi was announced by his teammates after that feat, just like when he was at Barca or the Argentina team. "I have no intention of retiring, but I will try to play for as long as possible," he emphasized.

Messi also recalled the past two difficult years at PSG, causing him to "lose the joy of playing football". "During that time, I was just happy to be back in the team," he added. "In Miami, I found the same joy in touching the ball as when I was at Barca."

Miami is on a seven-game unbeaten streak since Messi, and he's also scoring in every game. In 10 goals for Miami, Messi scored five goals from outside the penalty area. He won Top Scorer and Best Player of the Leagues Cup 2023.

Messi also turned Miami into a strong team in the US, even though they were previously at the bottom of the Eastern MLS table. Miami has won a place in the "North American C1 Cup", and if they win this tournament they will play in the FIFA Club World Cup. According to former US captain Landon Donovan, Miami is already "the strongest team in America after Messi".

Messi does not rule out the possibility of attending Copa America 2024 and even the 2026 World Cup, when he is 39 years old. At that time, he will not be under pressure because Argentina is already the defending champion.