In a recent interview with ESPN, Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine footballer, revealed that Inter Miami will be the last club he plays for, expressing a mixture of excitement and fear about the day he decides to retire.

Messi, who achieved World Cup glory with Argentina in 2022, joined Major League Soccer side Inter Miami last summer after his stint with French champions PSG. The 36-year-old has a contract with the club until 2025, putting an end to the long-standing speculation about a potential return to his boyhood club, Newell's Old Boys.

Expressing his love for the sport, Messi stated, "Inter Miami will be my last club. I enjoy everything even more because I am aware that there is less and less left. I'm not ready to leave football. I've done this all my life, I love playing football, I enjoy training, the day-to-day, the matches... And yes, there's always a little bit of fear that it's all over."

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is currently gearing up to defend Argentina's Copa América title. The tournament is set to begin on June 20th in the United States. In response to recent comments made by Kylian Mbappé, who claimed that the European Championships are a more challenging competition, Messi defended the World Cup, highlighting the strength of the participating teams, including Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, who are multiple-time champions.

Reflecting on his World Cup victory, Messi acknowledged that it has provided him with a new perspective on his career. "The fact we won the World Cup helped, it helped a lot, to see things in another way. 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," he confessed, emphasizing his focus on enjoying his time with the club and cherishing the camaraderie with his teammates and friends.

Having recently returned to the international stage after a six-month absence due to a hamstring injury, Messi played a crucial role in Argentina's 1-0 victory over Ecuador in a Copa América warm-up match. As the tournament approaches, Argentina will face Canada in Atlanta for the opening match, followed by matches against Chile on June 25th in New Jersey and Peru four days later in Miami.

As Messi's career enters its final phase, fans around the world eagerly await his performances in the Copa América and his continued brilliance with Inter Miami. With his undeniable talent, skill, and unwavering passion for the game, Messi's legacy is sure to leave an indelible mark on the history of football.