Julian Alvarez has now given his opinion on Lionel Messi potentially retiring, with the Inter Miami star turning 37 later this year.
The Manchester City forward played alongside Messi in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where the duo brought home Argentine’s third world championship in Qatar.
With Messi showing no signs of slowing down yet, there could be a chance that the former FC Barcelona superstar features for Argentine in some capacity at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, due to take place in the USA.
And speaking to Goal, Alvarez has stated that he wants Messi to continue playing, with the City star not ready to see the Inter Miami captain retire just yet.
Indeed, there will come a day when Messi hangs up his boots and leaves the soccer pitch forever, yet it appears that it will be some time before such an event occurs.
“It will depend on him but I think if he wants to he can do it comfortably,” Alvarez said. When asked if he and his Argentina team-mates want Messi to keep playing, the City forward said: “Yes we do too.”
Lionel Messi shouldn’t be think about retiring just yet
At 36, Messi is entering the twilight of his career, a remarkable fact given that the Argentine is still one of the best players on the planet and a franchise name for Inter Miami and MLS.
Yet whilst talk of retirement is scary, Messi knows he has a few more years left in the tank before he calls it a day, with the forward also seemingly keen on making history with Inter Miami.
The 2024 season is going to be a historic one for the Herons, and Messi will be at the forefront of everything for Inter Miami, with Luis Suarez alongside him.