'Nothing in life fulfils you the same way' - Lionel Messi sent retirement warning with Inter Miami contract renewal yet to be confirmed

It has been reported that Messi and Inter Miami are now reviewing the details of a contract extension that will keep the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner in Florida until the end of the 2026 MLS season, and possibly beyond. Rumours of a Saudi Pro League move or a shock return to Barcelona have fizzled out in recent weeks.

Inter Miami’s top brass are keen to secure Messi’s signature, with co-owner Jorge Mas vocal about his desire to see the superstar extend his stay. Mas has publicly expressed hopes that Messi will inaugurate Miami’s new stadium in March, calling it a “dream” for the No.10 to lead the celebrations. According to ESPN, talks are progressing and Messi is close to agreeing to a multiyear contract extension with the Herons. If completed, it would allow the Argentine to continue his MLS adventure and remain the focal point of South Florida’s footballing project.

However, it has been suggested that Messi could retire from football after leading Argentina out at the 2026 World Cup in North America next summer. Former Arsenal and Brazil midfielder Gilberto Silva has now come out to warn the Miami star that he should only consider retiring if he genuinely feels he has nothing more to give.

“Lionel Messi is enjoying his life and football in America, and I'm happy that he's extending his career," he said in an interview with Oddspedia. “As a player, you have to do as much as you can because once you finish, it's done. There's no way back, and there is nothing in life that fulfils you in the same way being a player does."

He compared Messi’s dedication to that of other legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Thiago Silva, noting the rare opportunity to prolong a player’s professional journey.

“It's a different life, even though you enjoy other parts of life and other things, such as family and spare time with friends," he said. "But football is something very unique, something that players dream of when they are kids, to be playing for a club.

“If you can extend your career as much as he is doing, like Cristiano and Thiago Silva, this is brilliant. I love to see something like this.”

Messi and Miami will look to bounce back from their 5-3 defeat to the Chicago Fire when they host the New England Revolution in their next MLS outing at Chase Stadium this Saturday. Miami have already booked a playoff spot, but their hopes of winning a second successive Supporters Shield have been all but extinguished, with only three Eastern Conference games left on their 2025 schedule.