Messi's most iconic moments as he ponders retirement
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- Lionel Messi hinted at retirement after his father Jorge's death, saying "I don't know how to carry on" — the 39-year-old remains signed with Inter Miami through 2028
- Messi has scored a combined 921 goals across Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Inter Miami and Argentina over his career
- Messi scored 8 goals at the 2026 World Cup, briefly holding the all-time tournament scoring record at 21 before Kylian Mbappé surpassed him with 22 in the Bronze Final
- Messi won a record eighth Ballon d'Or in October 2023 after lifting the 2022 World Cup and the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami
- Messi netted 91 goals in calendar year 2012, setting the all-time record and earning an unprecedented fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or
- Messi broke Barcelona's all-time scoring record in March 2012 at age 24, finishing his 21-year spell with 672 goals before departing on a free transfer in August 2021 due to La Liga's salary cap
- Messi won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, scoring twice in a 3-3 final against France that went to penalties — his first senior international trophy after the 2021 Copa América
Why it matters: With 921 goals across club and country and a record eight Ballon d'Or awards, Messi's potential exit would end arguably football's greatest career. His Inter Miami contract runs through 2028, yet he told media "I don't know how to carry on" after his father's death, leaving his next move unclear.
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