Bar the recent injury he sustained in Inter Miami’s game against Toronto FC, which may keep him out for a while, Lionel Messi has been in good form since moving to the club. The Argentine is finally getting the love he deserves in the Major League Soccer after an ill-fated two-year spell at Paris Sant-Germain.
At 36 years old, Lionel Messi must have carefully laid out his plans after his soccer career is over. When most footballers remain involved in the sport either as pundits or managers, Lionel Messi hopes to take a different path as he recently revealed his intriguing retirement plans.
Messi aims to become a mentor to his boys
Lionel Messi signed a contract with Inter Miami CF this summer that runs until December 2025. With over a year left on his contract, the World Cup winner is carefully planning what to do after his retirement from soccer. “Yes, it’s job (being a father). I’m lucky enough to do a job that I love,” Messi said when asked about spending more time with his sons.
“While I have responsibilities and purpose, it’s something that I enjoy doing. What am I going to do next? I don’t know. I would like to be a sports director, be with the boys, and teach,” the Argentine revealed. Messi has always been vocal about his love for his sons. His first son, Thiago, recently signed for the Inter Miami youth academy, something his father is super proud of.
Being a father has always been one of Messi’s greatest joys, and he never shies away from admitting it. “Being a father has helped me grow. It has changed everything. He comes first, then everything else. It has also changed the way I see a match. Before, if I lost or did something wrong, I didn’t talk to anyone for three or four days until it passed,” Lionel Messi said after welcoming his first son.
The former Barcelona star’s hopes of being a sports executive may be possible through his reported involvement with Inter Miami as a shareholder. This was one of the deciding factors that led to his decision to join the MLS franchise rather than earn a bumper contract in Saudi Arabia.
Inter Miami’s star nets 11 goals in 12 matches
Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami despite receiving a lucrative offer from a Saudi club shocked many people. “The idea was to start relaxing a little after so many years of having a career and enjoy somewhere else. And I’m now doing it,” the Argentine revealed. This relaxation has worked well for all parties, as Messi has sometimes single-handedly won Inter Miami games. He even delivered the club’s first trophy since its inception.
The number 10 has scored 11 goals in 12 games for the MLS franchise before injuring himself in the first half of the 4-0 win over Toronto FC a few days ago. The Argentine might miss Wednesday’s upcoming U.S. Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo.
Do you see Lionel Messi becoming a manager after retirement?
