Lionel Messi: Argentina Teammate Hints Inter Miami Star’s Retirement Ahead of Copa America

• Lionel Messi will lead Argentina to the 2024 Copa America in a bid to defend the title they won in 2021
• This year's tournament will be played in Miami, could be the captain's last continental tournament
• His national teammate and Manchester United stat Lisandro Martinez dropped a hint on his future

Lionel Messi will lead defending champions Argentina to the 2024 Copa America in Miami, and it could be his last appearance at the continental competition.

Messi’s international career peaked in 2021 when he led his country to Copa victory in his fourth final, having agonisingly lost the 2007, 2015 and 2016 finals.

He capped it off by winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, thus adding the only trophy missing in his trophy cabinet. This sparked rumours of international retirement.

Eden Hazard: What Belgian superstar said about Mohamed Salah in 2019

Football

Martinez drops hint on Messi’s future

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez commented on his captain’s future, admitting that none of his teammates thinks it could be the 36-year-old’s final international tournament.

“He’s very calm; more than anything, he’s enjoying the day-to-day. We don’t see it [as his last tournament with Argentina]. We see him happy, and with an impressive level. That’s what I can tell you,” he told ESPN.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni is not bothered about when his captain could decide to retire, though he has made peace with the fact that one day, his retirement will happen.

Messi assesses 2026 World Cup chances

The man himself has yet to give a definitive answer to the question of whether the 2024 Copa will be his last international competition, but he remains open to continuing.

He disclosed this during an interview with TV host Pollo Alvarez, as quoted by USA Today.

Erik ten Hag's Answer when Asked Whether He Will Get Sacked After FA Cup Triumph

Football

“It depends on how I feel, how I am physically and being realistic with myself. And to know if I am up to the task of being able to compete and help the colleagues next to me,” he said.

Angel Di Maria will retire internationally at the end of the Copa, leaving Messi and Nicholas Otamendi as the squad's two veterans.

Messi names the best team in the world

Sports Brief reported on Messi picking the best team in the world between Real Madrid and Manchester City and appeared to offend his former Barcelona fans.

The 10-time La Liga champion named rival Madrid as the best in the world as they are European champions but praised Pep Guardiola's City for their style of play.