As Lionel Messi approaches the twilight of his illustrious profession, questions on his plans after retirement have begun to come up. A former Inter Miami teammate lately shared his ideas on Messi’s future, confessing that he “can’t think about him off the sphere.”
Oscar Ustari, who joined Inter Miami as a backup goalkeeper in September 2024, spent three months alongside Messi on the MLS membership. Regardless of restricted appearances, the legendary ahead left an indelible mark on Ustari, each as a participant and as an individual.
Talking to the Argentine program DSports Radio, Ustari praised Messi’s relentless aggressive spirit. “Messi is unbearably aggressive; he’s unimaginable at the whole lot. There are teammates who hadn’t seen him earlier than and are amazed,” he mentioned. “Nothing occurs by likelihood at that stage. You’ll be able to see that his outlet is soccer—coaching, staying in form, and proving day by day who he’s,” he admitted.
The goalkeeper additionally recalled a memorable first impression upon arriving on the membership: “He enjoys what he does. The primary day I arrived on the membership, he was doing keepy-uppies shirtless, and all the fellows had been gathered round him. He treats everybody equally; he’s very family-oriented. He’s somebody who generates a lot admiration worldwide.”
Having beforehand shared the pitch with Messi in Argentina’s youth groups, together with the U-20 World Cup-winning squad in 2005 and the Olympic gold medal crew in 2008, Ustari is aware of firsthand the influence Messi can have on and off the sphere. The duo reunited at Inter Miami, the place they shared a profitable run, highlighted by profitable the 2024 Supporters’ Protect.
What’s subsequent for Messi after retirement?
Now 37 years outdated, Messi’s retirement looms on the horizon, sparking curiosity about his subsequent chapter. Ustari provided insights into what the long run would possibly maintain, suggesting that Messi’s life after taking part in could stay intently tied to the game.
“He’s very concerned within the academy and conscious of the whole lot. I see him in that position a bit. He’ll should handle his picture from a unique perspective. I can’t think about him off the sphere,” the goalkeeper acknowledged.
Messi himself has expressed uncertainty about his post-retirement plans, although he has dominated out teaching. “I actually don’t know. I do know that I wouldn’t prefer to be a coach, however I’m unsure both about what I can develop into sooner or later,” Messi mentioned in an interview with Fabrizio Romano for 433.
Whereas Messi’s ardour for mentoring youth gamers via academies has been extensively famous, his fast focus stays on persevering with to ship moments of brilliance on the pitch. Followers can anticipate to get pleasure from his presence within the sport not less than till the 2026 World Cup, the place he hopes to guide Argentina as soon as extra.
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