When will Lionel Messi retire? Argentina, Inter Miami star's retirement plans as he exits Copa America winning final in tears

Lionel Messi was hoping to sign off at the Copa America 2024 in style, but instead his tournament ended in a tearful goodbye, as injury forced him out of the final.

The Inter Miami star led Lionel Scaloni's side to back-to-back titles in their previous two major tournament appearances: the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Despite turning 37 in June, Messi has continued to be a vital player as the captain of Scaloni's team, alongside a strong first year in Miami since arriving in MLS in July 2024.

He was a big part of La Albiceleste's run to the title decider against Colombia, but he was not on the field by the time that Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive goal to win it 1-0 in extra time.

Injuries have continued to crop up, and Messi's minutes have had to be managed carefully to ensure he is fit for the most important matches.

His body, though, was not able to withstand one of the most important of them all, as he had to be withdrawn from the championship match in tears.

The 37-year-old wasn't able to conjure up his usual magic for much of the first half, blotted by a resolute system of man-marking enacted by Colombian manager Nestor Lorenzo.

Just as he appeared destined to get himself into the game, Messi was felled by a lower-leg problem near the end of the first half. He returned for the second period, and looked to be recovered, before crumpling to the turf again after tracking back to make a challenge, and was eventually forced off.

Messi's Copa career is now over, having already said this will be his last continental tournament. But what about his time with Argentina more widely? The Sporting News looks at what he has said about retirement.

MORE: Relive the Copa America 2024 final Argentina vs. Colombia, as it happened

What happened to Lionel Messi in Copa America final? Icon makes tearful farewell

Like much of this tournament, Messi was never able to get going in the final.

In the 35th minute, he found space, being swept away in a delicate piece of interplay between him, Alexis Mac Allister, and Julian Alvarez.

Alvarez found the little magician with a sumptuous back heel, allowing Messi to run on to it as he scurried toward the touch line. Argentina's No. 10 attempted to whip a cross into the penalty area before falling out of play. However, his effort was errant, in no large part due to the presence of his marker, Santiago Arias.

As Messi was bundled over, he appeared to get his lower leg caught underneath a stretching Arias. He proceeded to roll around on the ground before settling on the cusp of the goal line and the field, at which point Argentina's medical personnel tended to his wounds.

MORE: Why was the Copa América final delayed?

Messi remained on the deck for a fair bit of time. Coach Scaloni sent Copa America top scorer Lautaro Martinez to warm up while Messi was receiving treatment. However, the diminutive playmaker returned to the pitch shortly thereafter. He did, however, limp noticeably when the ball wasn't at his feet.

After an extended mid-match break due to a halftime show by Shakira, Messi returned for the second half. But within 20 minutes he was back down on the turf, once again clutching his ankle, and he eventually had to be led off the field to be replaced by Nicolas Gonzalez.

Messi attempted to track back to contest Luis Diaz's dribble into space. As he pulled up towards Diaz, however, Messi lost his footing. He crumpled to the ground in a heap, gesturing towards the bench as he laid on the turf.

Messi was visibly distraught after being withdrawn, and was shown on TV pictures in tears, unable to control his emotions at the end of his Copa America career.

MORE: Lionel Messi goals, assists: 2024 stats for Inter Miami, Argentina

When will Lionel Messi retire?

Messi has been asked regularly about his plans for retirement and he is open to playing on for as long as he is able to compete at his current level.

"I know the moment that I know I'm not performing, that I'm not enjoying myself, that I'm not helping my teammates [I will retire]," he said previously.

"I'm very self critical. I know when I am good, when I am bad, when I play well, when I play badly. When I feel it is time to take that step and retire, I will take it without thinking about age.

Messi has previously stated his desire to lead Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, held in North America, and that target appears to be on track. It remains to be seen whether injuries will interfere with that ambition.

Inter Miami will manage his game time in the coming months, following some minor muscle problems at the start of 2024, but he is not expected to make any indication over retirement at club level until at least 2025.

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami contract

As part of his free transfer move to Inter Miami in July 2023, Messi signed a contract that runs until the end of 2025.

The structure of his deal reflects the MLS season, which ends in the December playoffs, so he can compete until the end of next year.

A decision over a potential extension will be made from the start of 2025.

Will Lionel Messi play at the 2026 World Cup?

Messi remains committed to the Argentina cause and his objective had been to captain them at the 2026 World Cup, held in the USA, Canada and Mexico. It is not certain that he will do so, though.

He is fully expected to complete his contract at Inter Miami, after which there will be a six-month gap before the start of the World Cup. He will need to consider his best next step if he wants to keep playing before the tournament in North America.

Despite his enduring importance to Argentina, Messi's injury troubles over the past year mean it's hard to say for certain whether he will choose to walk away from national-team duty before the World Cup. However, if he decides to continue, it feels highly likely he will be in the squad for the 2026 finals.

There is a potential to sign a short-term deal at Inter Miami, which could stretch until the end of 2026, so he can continue training and playing in the build-up to the World Cup.

Lionel Messi Argentina stats

Messi is a true great of Argentinian and world football with a Copa America and World Cup title since 2021 capping his international career.

He is also the leading scorer and appearance-maker for Argentina, with 109 goals and 187 international caps, almost double the amount of the second-highest scorer Gabriel Batistuta (56).