The Argentine legend Lionel Messi appeared in a new interview just days before the start of the Copa America 2024 in the United States. He is set to participate with the Argentina national team for the last time in the tournament, as he is now 37 years old. In an interview with ESPN, the World Cup champion discussed his next steps after his current club, Inter Miami.
However, Messi surprised everyone by announcing that Inter Miami would be his final stop in his football career, contrary to his previous promise and dream of playing for his childhood team, Newell's Old Boys, before moving to Barcelona at a young age. Following these statements, the most pressing question is: "Why has Messi abandoned his old dream of retiring in the Newell's Old Boys jersey and not with Inter Miami?"
Some may interpret Messi's decision as a submission to reality, particularly due to the lifestyle in his home country not aligning with his family's needs. Messi lived for many years outside of Argentina, spending over 20 years in Europe before relocating to America last year. He and his family may find it extremely challenging to adapt to the Argentine way of life, which differs significantly from that of Europe and the United States.
Additionally, Messi may feel exhausted and drained from football, leading him to desire retirement as soon as possible without the need for new adventures or challenges on the pitch, especially after achieving most of his individual and collective accomplishments.
Another underlying reason might be Messi's sense of self-worth at the end of his historic career. Some might argue that at 37, he prefers not to regress and diminish his legacy by joining a team that does not align with his ambitions and abilities at this stage of his career. He now requires support from his teammates, no longer being the young player who could single-handedly lead a team to victory; he needs high-level players to achieve his goals as he ages.
This is something Messi is unlikely to find in the lesser-known Argentine team, which plays a role in his reconsideration of his previous dream, aiming to avoid setbacks at the conclusion of his illustrious career. It is well-known that Messi does not favor taking risks; instead, he tends to seek a safe environment that maximizes his chances for success, making Newell's Old Boys no longer fit his aspirations.
