So, everyone is asking the same question. When is the GOAT finally going to hang them up? Honestly, it feels like we’ve been talking about the end of the Lionel Messi era for five years, yet the guy just keeps winning trophies and breaking records like it’s easy. But we’re in January 2026 now. The North American World Cup is months away. The clock is definitely ticking louder than it used to.
If you're looking for a simple date, you won't find one. Messi doesn't work like that. But we finally have some concrete clues thanks to his recent contract moves and a few very revealing interviews.
The 2028 Bombshell: Messi’s New Contract
Most people thought 2025 would be the curtain call. His original Inter Miami deal was set to expire, and many assumed he’d either head back to Newell’s Old Boys for a sentimental sunset or just walk away.
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That didn't happen.
In October 2025, Messi signed a massive contract extension with Inter Miami that keeps him in Florida through the end of the 2028 MLS season. This was a huge statement. By the time that contract ends, Leo will be 41 years old. To put that in perspective, he’d be playing professional top-flight soccer at an age when most legends are already three years into their broadcasting careers or coaching youth teams.
Why 2028? It’s not just about the money. Jorge Mas, the managing owner of Inter Miami, basically let the cat out of the bag. The club is moving into their brand-new home, Miami Freedom Park, in 2026. Messi wants to be the one to inaugurate that stadium. He’s deeply invested in the "project" aspect of MLS. He’s not just a player anymore; he’s part of the furniture.
When Does Messi Retire from Argentina?
This is the one that actually makes people emotional. The international side of things is much more fragile than the club side.
After winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Messi famously said "it's over" (meaning the quest for the trophy), but he didn't quit. He stayed for the 2024 Copa América. He stayed for the 2026 Qualifiers. Now, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming in June, the big question is whether he stops the second Argentina is eliminated (or lifts the trophy again).
Here is what we know for sure:
- He is officially on the road to the 2026 World Cup.
- He recently told Luzu TV that everything coming now is "a gift."
- He admitted to coach Lionel Scaloni that he wants to be there, and Scaloni has essentially given him a "lifetime pass" to the squad.
But don’t expect him to play in 2030. He has been very open about the fact that his body is starting to talk back to him. In the 2025 season, he missed several chunks of time with adductor issues and muscle fatigue. He’s 38 now. He’ll turn 39 during the World Cup this summer. Most experts, including former teammate Javier Mascherano, believe the 2026 World Cup will be his final act in the iconic blue and white stripes.
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The "I'm Not a Coach" Revelation
When Messi does eventually retire—likely between 2026 for Argentina and 2028 for club—what does he do?
Forget the sidelines. He’s already ruled out coaching.
"I don't see myself as a coach," he said recently. He finds the idea of the daily grind of training sessions and tactical meetings unappealing. Instead, he’s looking at the David Beckham model. His Inter Miami contract reportedly includes an equity stake in the club. He wants to be an owner. He wants to build something from the ground up, specifically focusing on youth development.
He’s already dipped his toes in this by helping Luis Suárez start a fourth-division club in Uruguay, Deportivo LSM. The man is transitioning from "The Player" to "The Mogul" right before our eyes.
Is His Body Finally Giving Out?
We have to be real here. The 2025 season was a bit of a reality check. While he still won the MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals, he also spent about 20% of the season on the training table.
Transfermarkt data shows a steady increase in "muscular discomfort" absences. In 2025, he had two separate stints on the sidelines for adductor strains. It’s not that he can’t play; it’s that he can’t play 60 games a year anymore.
This is why he’s being so cagey about a hard retirement date. He’s taking it "day by day." If he wakes up in July 2026 after the World Cup and his legs feel like lead, he might call it then. But as long as he’s still having fun—and let's be honest, he looks like he’s having a blast in Miami—he’s going to keep going.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Messi is "retiring" to the MLS. People use that word like it's a retirement home.
But look at the stats. He’s still producing at a level that would start for almost any team in Europe. He’s not coasting. He’s just chosen a different environment where he can manage his minutes and spend time with his family.
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The retirement won't be a sudden "I quit" post on Instagram. It’s going to be a phased exit.
- Phase 1: The International Farewell (Post-2026 World Cup).
- Phase 2: The Club Sunset (End of 2028).
- Phase 3: The Front Office (2029 and beyond).
The Actionable Takeaway for Fans
If you want to see him play, do it now.
Do not wait for the "final season" tour in 2028. Injuries at 39 are unpredictable. The 2026 MLS season is arguably the most important year of his remaining career because it combines the opening of the new Miami stadium with his final World Cup run.
Check the Inter Miami schedule for the 2026 season specifically for home games at the new Miami Freedom Park. Tickets are going to be impossible to get once the World Cup hype hits its peak in May. If you're a collector, keep an eye on match-worn items from the 2026 World Cup; these will likely be the most valuable pieces of sports memorabilia in history, marking the final international chapter of the greatest to ever do it.
Bottom line: Messi isn't gone yet, but the "beginning of the end" has officially started. Enjoy the gift while it's still being unwrapped.
Keep an eye on the official Argentina national team squad announcements for the March 2026 friendlies. That will be the first real indicator of his fitness levels heading into the summer tournament. If he's skipping those, the retirement conversation might move up sooner than we think.