Lionel Messi Opens Up on What Happened to His Football Career After Winning 2022 World Cup

• Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi explained how 2022 World Cup triumph helped prolong his career
• The Argentine also strongly suggested Inter Miami would be his last club before retirement
• Messi is currently preparing for club duties as he prepares for the Copa America with Argentina

Lionel Messi recently admitted the 2022 World Cup triumph helped him see his football career in a different light.

The 36-year-old led his nation to glory in Qatar, beating France in an enthralling encounter to win Argentina’s first World Cup since 1986.

In an interview with ESPN Argentina, Messi reflected on how the World Cup win impacted his career.

"The fact we won the World Cup helped, it helped a lot, to see things in another way,” he said.

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The Inter Miami star, who turns 37 later in June, also suggested that the MLS club would be his last before his retirement.

"Yes, as of today, I think it's going to be my last club," he added, admitting he did not want to ponder about retirement at the moment.

He added, "But I try not to think about it. I try to enjoy it. I do that more now because I'm aware that there's not a lot of time left. So I have a good time with the club, being lucky having good teammates and friends at my side. 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."

When Messi retired from International football

Messi’s overall football career has always been affected by his performances on the international stage.

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In the past, the former Barcelona star was often criticised for having a glittery club career but failing to inspire Argentina to success.

At one point, the pressure became so immense for the Argentine that he briefly retired from international duty.

After defeat to Chile in the Copa America final in 2016, a distraught Messi had enough, so he decided to walk away from the national team.

"For me, the national team is over," A 29-year-old Messi said at the time, per BBC.

However, he made a U-turn on his retirement, and it proved to be the right decision, as La Albiceleste would win the Copa America in 2021.

Messi's club history

After playing for Barcelona from 2004 to 2021, the Argentine left the Catalan giants to join Parts Saint-Germain, where he spent two years before securing the move to Inter Miami.

His presence in the MLS has raised the league’s ratings, and stadiums sell out tickets whenever Inter Miami plays.

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The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has already won a trophy with Inter Miami—the League Cup crown, which he secured in his earlier days at the club.

Messi could become Inter Miami’s all-time top scorer

Sports Brief also reported on Inter Miami’s all-time top goal scorers, with Messi closing in on the record.

Messi added to his goal tally for the MLS club on Saturday, June 1, when he scored Inter Miami’s first goal in the thrilling 3-3 draw against St Louis City.

Despite a slow start to football in America, Messi’s performances have significantly improved this term. He has scored an impressive 12 goals and assisted 13 times in 12 appearances.