‘I am not planning to coach’ - Lionel Messi announces retirement plans

Former Barcelona and PSG superstar Lionel Messi has confirmed that he does not intend to pursue a career in coaching after he retires from playing.

In an interview with Fabrizio Romano for ‘433’, Lionel Messi discussed his future, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and his post-retirement plans.

"I'm not planning to become a manager when I will retire. This is not something I'm considering to do," he said.

Meanwhile, Messi has expressed uncertainty about his future beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stating that he will take a more cautious approach to his career, focusing on the present moment rather than dwelling on long-term plans.

"The truth is that I don’t know. I’ve been asked several times, especially in Argentina. I hope to have a good end of the season and then a good pre-season, something I didn’t have last season because of all the travelling we did. From there, I want to see what happens, to realise how I feel.

"In football, a lot of things always happen. There’s still a long way to go, so I’m not thinking too much about it. I’m going to live day to day without thinking too much about the future," Messi said.

The 37-year-old has had a legendary career, winning eight Ballon d'Or awards (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023), Champions League titles, and a historic victory in the 2021 Copa AméricaWorld Cup with Argentina.