Lionel Messi drops six-word retirement hint as decision dubbed 'impossible'

There's fight in the old dog yet after fought off fears of retirement with a hat-trick over the international break.

The eight-time has been dogged by speculation he could hang up his boots any day now after turning 37 in June. But Messi was as candid as ever while addressing the topic in the wake of his latest international treble, taking home the match ball as Argentina battered Bolivia 6-0 in a 2026 qualifier.

Having finally ended his search for football's greatest prize at 2022, there's no longer the same void in Messi's career pressuring him to play on. And yet arguably the best player to have ever lived - who will turn 39 at the next World Cup - has refused to rule out an appearance as he said: "When the time comes, we'll see."

Asked whether he'd be representing his country in their title defence, Messi told "I've always said that things happen for a reason and I never get ahead of myself. I live day by day, I try to enjoy every single moment, and when the time comes to decide if I can be at the next World Cup, we'll see.

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"Hopefully I can continue to perform at this level to feel good and to be happy because when I feel good and I can enjoy what I do, I'm happy. The truth is that I don't set myself the goal of getting there, my goal is to live day by day and to be well."

The star opened the scoring for Argentina at El Monumental, then added two more to his credit in the 84th and 86th minutes. His input helped keep Argentina at the top of the table in CONMEBOL's World Cup qualification, while Bolivia occupy the play-off place in seventh as things stand.

Even despite the disparity between the two teams, Messi's contribution highlights that he still possesses the potential to gleam at the highest level. Fellow Argentinian Esteban Quintas, who manages South Melbourne in said it's out of the question that Messi is headed for an imminent exit.

"It's impossible this is his last game with Argentina," he told "I think he will try to play the next World Cup but I believe for us, for the Argentinians, this is a moment to celebrate what we have today.

From Messi's perspective, it's clear the passion to perform and bring his country accolades is not in question. Even at his advanced age, the former and talisman said he still loves his job and adores hearing fans chant his and his team-mates' names.

"I fought hard and went through bad times in Argentina to live this moment, and today I enjoy it more than ever because when the end gets closer and you get older, you get much more emotional and appreciate things more than before," he said. "The love I have for this sport drives me to always be at the top of my game. Coming here didn't mean retiring. The goal is to make this young team very big."

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