Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino expressed uncertainty about how much longer Lionel Messi will play in Major League Soccer after their surprising 3-2 playoff loss to Atlanta at Chase Stadium.
Martino acknowledged the impact of “time passing” for the 37-year-old Messi but stopped short of specifying how much longer he believes Messi will remain in the league.
“I actually don’t know how limited [Messi’s time in MLS] is,” Martino said, underscoring that both the challenges and successes of this season have surpassed Miami’s history to date.
A Season of Highs and Lows
Lionel Messi’s arrival saw Miami surge through the regular season, with the Argentine star contributing 23 goals and 13 assists in just 24 matches.
However, their playoff journey ended prematurely with the loss to Atlanta. Martino noted that while the result was disappointing, Miami’s progress has set a new standard for the club.
He believes the team can continue to grow and improve, saying, “The bad and the good in general have been better than everything that happened last year and, I would say, even from the entire life of the club.” he concluded as quoted by GOAL.
What’s Next for Lionel Messi?
Messi who was recently named The Greatest Footballer Of All Time, who still has one year left on his contract with Inter Miami, will now turn his focus to international duty, with upcoming World Cup qualifiers for Argentina against Paraguay and Peru on November 14 and 20.
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With Miami not returning to play until the 2025 season, questions remain over how much longer Messi will continue his playing career in the MLS. For now, fans and the club remain hopeful that he will see out his contract and help Miami continue its upward trajectory.
