Lionel Messi plans to end his playing career at Inter Miami

Lionel Messi has announced that Inter Miami will be his final club before retiring from professional soccer.

At 36, Messi joined Inter Miami last summer after concluding a 20-year career in Europe where he played for clubs like Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient has netted 14 goals across all competitions this season, helping Inter Miami to lead the Eastern Conference.

In an interview with ESPN, Messi reflected on how his recent triumph in Qatar reshaped his view on his career.

"I've done this all of my life; I love playing ball. I enjoy the practices and the day-to-day, the games. Yeah, there's a bit of fear that it's all ending. It's always there. It was a difficult step leaving Europe to come here [Miami]," he said.

"I enjoy my time with the national team, where I also have good friends, too, and a lot. I enjoy those small details that I know I'll miss when I stop playing."

"Argentina is always a favorite and a contender, at Copa America as well as in World Cups," Messi said. "We're more of a favorite now because of where we're coming from, having won the last Copa America, the Finalissima and the World Cup -- and because of the group of players we have."

With the 2026 World Cup just two years away, and a potential record-setting sixth appearance on the horizon, Messi remains undecided about participating in the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

"I'm not there to set any record or to say that I've played in five or six World Cups, no," Messi said. "I never gave much thought to records. It's a great thing to hold records and continue seeking accomplishments, but I wouldn't be at a World Cup just to say that I've been in six of them.

"If it happens, if I'm doing well and it all happens how it's supposed to, then perfect. But to be there just because, no."