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Argentina legend Mario Kempes has shared his thoughts on Lionel Messi's potential retirement. He pointed out how the forward has chosen to move to MLS to be more relaxed but it gets tougher with injuries and age.
Messi, who is the most decorated football player of all time, added a 45th trophy to his cabinet and fourth with Argentina. La Albiceleste beat Colombia 1-0 after extra time in the Copa America 2024 final at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida on Sunday, July 14. Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal of the game in the 112th minute.
Lionel Messi started the game but had to be subbed off in the 66th minute due to an ankle injury. The 37-year-old has struggled with injuries this year, missing around 20 games for club and country since September 2023.
There is speculation regarding his future with Argentina, having already won every trophy available. Mario Kempes has now shared his thoughts on it, saying in an interview with FIFA.com:
“Nobody knows his body better than he does. We’ve all had to call it a day, maybe not at club level but definitely in international football. It’s different with clubs, but with your national team there’s a standard.
“He’s chosen MLS so he can be more relaxed and go further in tournaments. But obviously, if he gets injured now it takes him longer to recover. It suddenly dawns on you the moment younger players start flying past you. You never want to take that step, but there comes a time when your body lets you know.”
Lionel Messi scored one goal and provided one assist at Copa America 2024.
Argentina defend Copa America title despite Lionel Messi's underwhelming performance
Argentina came into Copa America 2024 as a heavy favorite. They had won the trophy in 2021 and then went on to win La Finalissima and the FIFA World Cup the following year.
La Albiceleste started their campaign with a 2-0 win over Canada, with goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez. They then beat Chile 1-0 with a goal from Martinez to secure their place at the top of the group. A heavily rotated Argentina side then beat Peru in a dead rubber, with a brace from Martinez.
They got past Ecuador in the quarter-finals on penalties. Kevin Rodriguez canceled out Lisandro Martinez's goal in the 90 minutes to take it to the shootout. Lionel Messi missed his penalty before Emi Martinez made two saves.
Alvarez and Messi then scored in their 2-0 win over Canada in the semi-final because Martinez sealed the win over Colombia in the final.
