Lionel Messi is 38. That sentence alone feels wrong, doesn't it? It feels like just yesterday he was the shaggy-haired kid at Barcelona turning world-class defenders into statues. Now, every time he ties his laces for Inter Miami or Argentina, the world holds its breath, wondering if this is the beginning of the end.
People are obsessed with the "R" word. Retirement.
If you’ve been scouring the internet for a specific date, you’re not going to find one. Why? Because Messi himself hasn't picked one yet. But 2025 and early 2026 have given us more clues than we've ever had before.
Honestly, the guy is still playing like he's 25. He just finished the 2025 MLS season with 29 goals and 19 assists in only 28 games. He took home the Golden Boot and led Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup title. You don't usually quit when you're still the best player on the pitch.
The Inter Miami Contract Extension (The 2028 Plot Twist)
Everyone thought 2025 might be it. That was the original expiration date for his Florida adventure. But in October 2025, Messi did something that caught a lot of people off guard: he signed a three-year extension.
He is now officially committed to Inter Miami through the end of the 2028 MLS season.
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By the time that contract wraps up, he'll be 41. That’s "Zlatan levels" of longevity. This extension wasn't just about money; it was about the new stadium. Miami Freedom Park is set to open its doors in 2026, and Messi reportedly wants to be the one to christen that grass.
It’s a massive signal. If he’s signing until 2028, he isn't planning on hanging them up this summer. He’s comfortable. He likes the life in Fort Lauderdale. His kids are happy. That matters more to him now than chasing another Champions League trophy in Europe.
When will Messi retire from Argentina?
This is where things get emotional. Winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was the "happily ever after" moment. Most players would have walked away then. Messi didn't.
He’s currently staring down the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Just a few days ago, in early January 2026, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni sat down for coffee with Leo. The vibe? No pressure.
Scaloni basically told the press that the decision is 100% in Messi's hands. Argentina has already secured their spot. They’re the defending champions. Messi has hinted that as long as he feels "fit and useful," he wants to be there. But he’s also been very clear: he isn't going just to break a record. He isn't interested in being a mascot on the bench.
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If his hamstrings hold up during the early 2026 MLS matches, expect to see him in that iconic number 10 jersey one last time on the world stage.
Life After the Pitch: The "No-Coach" Rule
What happens when the whistle finally blows for good?
Most legends—Zidane, Xavi, Maradona—head straight for the manager's dugout. Not Leo. In a recent interview with Luzu TV, he was pretty blunt about it. "I don't see myself as a coach," he said. He thinks the life of a manager is too stressful, too much travel, and frankly, he’s spent enough time in hotels.
Instead, he’s looking at the "Michael Jordan route." Ownership.
- Inter Miami Stake: His current contract includes an option for minority ownership in the club.
- Deportivo LSM: He’s already helped Luis Suarez launch a fourth-division club in Uruguay.
- The Messi Cup: He’s started his own youth tournament in Miami to find the next generation of talent.
Basically, he wants to be the guy in the suit in the owner's box, not the guy screaming on the sidelines. He wants to build a club from the ground up.
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The Physical Reality
We have to be real for a second. At 38, your body starts to betray you. In 2025, we saw him miss a handful of games due to "muscle fatigue." It’s a polite way of saying his legs need more recovery time than they used to.
He’s adapted his game. He doesn’t sprint for 90 minutes anymore. He walks. He scans. He waits. And then, in a five-second burst, he ruins a defender's career. It’s "economical football." This shift in style is exactly why he might actually make it to 2028.
So, when will Messi retire?
The most likely scenario looks like this: A "Last Dance" at the 2026 World Cup this summer, followed by a transition into a club-only role with Inter Miami. He’ll likely finish his contract in 2028, perhaps playing a final ceremonial season or a few months back at Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina if his heart pulls him home.
But for now? He’s still here.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
If you want to see him play live, 2026 is your year. With Inter Miami moving into their new stadium at Freedom Park and the World Cup happening on North American soil, this is the peak of "Messi-mania." Don't wait for 2027 or 2028—injuries are unpredictable at 39. Track the Inter Miami schedule closely for the early 2026 season, as he usually plays more frequently in the first half of the year before international breaks kick in.