Lionel Messi: Winning the World Cup ‘is the best, you can’t ask for more’

Lionel Messi is already considered the greatest footballer ever. That said, he thinks there is still more for him to achieve.

The Inter Miami star told a business conference on Wednesday that there will be a time to reflect on what he has done in his football life. But those days, he said, won’t happen until he retires, and since he’s under contract to play until 2028, that may not happen anytime soon.

“It’s not something I’ve thought about or worried about,” Messi said when asked about his legacy.

«When I retire, over the years I will obviously appreciate everything I have done in my career and what I have achieved professionally much more. But today is the time to keep enjoying and keep playing,» he added.

Messi, Argentina’s World Cup champion and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, was the final speaker on the first day of the America Business Summit on Wednesday – following President Donald Trump, Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

He was interviewed by Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who afterwards presented Messi with a ceremonial key to the city.

“It’s spectacular, it’s the first time I live in this incredible city,” Messi said. «The affection of all the people from day one was impressive and today is another example of the welcome. … I am very grateful.»

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Suarez asked Messi what it was like to lead Argentina to the World Cup title in 2022. The US, Canada and Mexico will host the World Cup next summer as Argentina aims to defend its title.

“As a player I think winning the World Cup is the best thing,” Messi said. “After the World Cup you can’t wish for anything anymore.”

Messi joined Inter Miami in mid-2023, won the Major League Soccer MVP award last year and is a heavy favorite to become the league’s first back-to-back MVP this season. He and Inter Miami face a win-or-else 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, Messi is still elite. He has scored 29 goals in the league this year, five more than LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and Nashville’s Sam Surridge. He also had 19 assists and his total of 48 goals fell just short of tying Carlos Vela’s MLS record of 49 in 2019.

But he also acknowledged that his thoughts are slowly starting to shift to life after football and his varied business interests.

“Unfortunately at some point it stops,” Messi said. «I want to keep learning. … For me, something else comes, another world, and little by little I get involved.»

Published on November 6, 2025