Lionel Messi considering temporary international retirement?

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 27 June 2023

Argentina legend Lionel Messi is reportedly considering a year-long sabbatical from international football in order to help him settle in at new club Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi is reportedly considering a temporary retirement from international duty with Argentina in order to help him settle in at new club Inter Miami.

The 36-year-old will join up with his new side next month after leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract, ending a legendary career in European football to move to MLS.

Messi has publicly admitted that his switch to PSG from Barcelona, where he spent 21 years, was a more difficult transition than he expected.

The Mirror reports that he is keen to take his move to Miami seriously in order to protect his legacy as arguably the greatest footballer of all time, and that he is therefore considering a sabbatical from international duty so that he can fully settle into his new life.

The report claims that Messi has told Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni that he would like a year away from national team.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their second goal on March 23, 2023 © Reuters

Any agreement would need to be rubber-stamped by the Argentinian Football Federation too, although it is understood that Messi's standing in the country is likely to lead to them accepting his request.

The forward famously led his country to World Cup glory last year, winning the Golden Ball for best player in the tournament as he claimed the one trophy which had eluded him in his illustrious career up to that point.

Contrary to widespread speculation, Messi did not retire from international duty after getting his hands on the biggest prize in football, although he has since hinted that he will not still be around for the 2026 World Cup.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner recently scored the fastest goal of his entire career for Argentina in a friendly against Australia, and now has 103 goals in 175 games for his country.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Ali Daei have scored more international goals in the men's game, while he is the most-capped South American player of all time.