Sports Desk

Lionel Messi says he will know when the time is right to call time on his illustrious career but has yet to contemplate life away from the field.

In a rare interview, Messi gave fans an insight into a host of topics including his dramatic Barcelona exit and his World Cup win with Argentina. When the discussion moved onto the subject of retirement, the megastar was adamant that he will recognise when the time is right but remains keen to keep playing as long as he feels content.

"I know that the moment I feel that I am no longer ready to perform, that I no longer enjoy myself or help my teammates, I will quit," Messi told the Big Time podcast.

"I am very self-critical with myself, I know when I am good, when I am bad, when I play well and when I play badly. When I feel it's time to take that step, I will take it without thinking about age. If I feel good I will always try to continue competing because that's what I like and what I know how to do".

Despite the talk of retirement, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has yet to consider what he will do when he does hang his boots up. "I have not yet thought about what I will do when I retire, today I try to enjoy the day to day, the moments, without thinking about the future. I don't have anything clear yet, I hope to continue playing for a while longer, which is what I like.

"When the time comes, I will surely find the way to do what fulfils me and what I like and a new role. On a sporting level I was lucky to be able to achieve all my dreams and the truth is that I can't ask for more."

The mere suggestion of Messi's retirement is enough to put fans all over the world on edge. But beneath the matter-of-fact statement that one day he will know the time has come is the reassurance that at the age of 36, one of the game's greats is still enjoying himself to the point where he has yet to even consider life after playing.

Major injuries are something that Messi has thankfully avoided over the course of his career but the Argentina captain has suffered a number of minor niggles since his move to Florida. Having missed his country's recent friendlies, Inter Miami will hope to have their captain back from his latest knock for their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final against Monterrey on April 3.