Lionel Messi delivered one of his finest individual performances in recent memory during the October international break. However, before departing Argentina, he addressed a crucial matter concerning his future with Inter Miami.
Messi scored three goals and provided two assists in Argentina’s 6-0 thrashing of Bolivia on Tuesday, setting up what was expected to be a triumphant return to his club, Inter Miami CF, with the MLS Playoffs starting Oct. 25.
Instead, the 37-year-old cast a dark cloud over his future in his post-match interview.
“I am more emotional than ever, cherishing all the love from the fans because I know these could be my final games,” Messi shared about his Argentina career, citing his club team in the United States as the reason for his uncertainty.
“I still have to finish the season and start the year doing a good preseason,” he said of his upcoming duties with Inter Miami. “Last year I didn’t have one because we had a lot of travel. It was what the club needed at that time but it wasn’t a good preseason.”
Messi and his teammates embarked on an extensive global tour for Inter Miami’s 2024 preseason, traveling over 23,000 miles in three weeks. The tour included matches in El Salvador, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia.