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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="footballco-bet-betsense">{"type":"footballco-bet-betsense","data":{}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>All-time great about to turn 37</li><li>Record-breaking haul of honours</li><li>How long will he play on for?</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Retirement date? Lionel Messi's Argentina future addressed by Julian Alvarez as Man City forward admits world champions are always 'better' with Inter Miami superstar on the pitch

<p>Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi will turn 37 in June, during another bid for Copa America glory with his country. There has been no sign of him slowing down at club level, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/magical-lionel-messi-personal-history-career-firsts-inter-miami-superstar-six-goal-showing-new-york-red-bulls/blt85182914370c19b8" target="_blank">double figures reached for goals and assists this season at MLS side Inter Miami</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Questions continue to be asked, though, of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-not-continuing-argentina-want-superstar-captain-eternal-exequiel-palacios-avoids-retirement-date/blt8b068bc2ee06765a" target="_blank">how much longer the all-time great can continue</a> – particularly on an international stage. There has been talk of him <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-update-2026-world-cup-plans-argentina-inter-miami-united-states-mexico-canada/bltf7e8c8bcdba5ba36 " target="_blank">prolonging a record-breaking career with the 2022 World Cup winners</a> through to the defence of that global crown in 2026.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Manchester City forward Alvarez is eager to see Messi play on for as long as possible, telling <a href="https://www.espn.com.ar/futbol/argentina/nota/_/id/13716004/julian-alvarez-el-presente-de-river-y-su-temporada-en-el-city " target="_blank"><em>ESPN</em></a> when asked if the talismanic forward will remain part of Argentina’s plans for the foreseeable future: “Let's hope so. He's going to decide until when, but we want him to be there, it's better.”</p>

WHAT ALVAREZ SAID

<p>Messi is up to 180 caps and 106 goals for his country, with both of those tallies rewriting the history books. He has become <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/44-trophies-lionel-messi-all-time-record-very-good-hands-inter-miami-tata-martino-historic-leagues-cup/blt4c0a84c28d5bf241 " target="_blank">the most decorated player of all-time</a>, but a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-quality-more-associated-cristiano-ronaldo-highlighted-former-usmnt-star-inter-miami-unbeaten-mls/blt5d3752ea562e8676" target="_blank">relentless desire to be the best</a> has helped to see off any complacency and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/impossible-lionel-messi-trait-makes-goat-inter-miami-rival-sergio-canales-explains-why-argentine-best/bltc10ba916c9268fc0" target="_blank">keep him at the very top of the world game</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

Retirement date? Lionel Messi's Argentina future addressed by Julian Alvarez as Man City forward admits world champions are always 'better' with Inter Miami superstar on the pitch | Goal.com US

Lionel Messi will hang up his boots at some stage, but Julian Alvarez hopes that day remains some way off for the talismanic Argentina international.

Retirement date? Lionel Messi&apos;s Argentina future addressed by Julian Alvarez as Man City forward admits world champions are always &apos;better&apos; with Inter Miami superstar on the pitch