MIAMI (AP) — Lionel Messi is already considered the greatest soccer player of all time. That said, he believes there is still more to accomplish.
The Inter Miami star said at a business conference on Wednesday that there will come a time when he will reflect on what he has done in his football career. But those days won’t happen until he retires, he said, and considering he’s under contract to continue playing until 2028, that might not happen anytime soon.
“I never think about it or worry about it,” Messi said in Spanish when asked about his legacy. “As the years go by, it’s clear that when I retire, I’ll cherish everything I’ve done in my career and what I’ve accomplished as a professional more. But today it’s time to continue enjoying myself and keep playing.”
Messi, Argentina’s World Cup winner and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, was the last speaker on the first day of the American Business Summit, following in the footsteps of President Donald Trump, Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Colina Machado and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
He was interviewed by Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who presented Messi with a ceremonial key to the city after the meeting. Messi spoke to an arena filled mostly with business executives, receiving several loud applause and many taking photos and videos with their cellphones during his speech.
“It’s amazing. It’s my first time living in this wonderful city,” Messi said. “The love from everyone from day one has been impressive, and today is another example of the welcome. … We are very grateful.”
Suarez asked Messi what it was like leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup victory. The United States, Canada and Mexico will play host to next summer’s World Cup, with Argentina aiming to defend its title.
“As a player, I think winning the World Cup is the best thing,” Messi said. “Once the World Cup is over, you can’t ask for anything more.”
Messi joined Inter Miami in the middle of 2023, won Major League Soccer MVP last year, and is the favorite to become the league’s first consecutive MVP this season. He and Inter Miami will play Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against Nashville SC on Saturday night at the team’s home park in Fort Lauderdale.
At 38 years old, Messi is still elite. He scored a league-high 29 goals in this year’s MLS regular season, five more than LAFC’s Dennis Bouanga and Nashville’s Sam Surridge. He also recorded 19 assists, and his total goal contribution of 48 was just shy of the MLS record of 49 goals set by Carlos Vela in 2019.
However, in Wednesday’s press conference, he also admitted that he is gradually starting to turn his attention to life after football and various business interests.
“Unfortunately, it ends at a certain point,” Messi said. “I want to keep learning. … For me, something else, a different world, is coming, and I’m getting involved little by little.”
Messi spoke on the same day Inter Miami announced that its new stadium near Miami International Airport has reached a major construction milestone, with the final beam of the stadium’s canopy being raised.
Messi signed a three-year extension with Inter Miami last month.
“I’m happy with this place, so I’m very happy to continue,” he said. “I’m really nervous and I’m really looking forward to being able to play here.”
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