Messi admits the time for retirement is approaching

Lionel Messi has acknowledged that the time for his retirement from football is approaching, but hopes he will enjoy many more years at the top of the sport and says Barcelona should not worry about his future.

Speaking after winning the Ballon d’Or for the sixth time in a row on Monday in Paris, Messi appeased Barcelona fans and executives, especially after it was revealed that the Argentine has a departure clause in his current contract with the club.

But there was no indication that the 32-year-old could activate that clause and leave Barcelona.

Messi, however, is aware that he is now nearing the end of his career, recognizing that the day will come when he will be forced to put his shoes on the nail.

“I know how old I am. I’m enjoying these moments a lot because I know retirement is coming. Time flies,” Messi said in Paris.

“I hope, God willing, I will continue to play for many more years. I’m 32 now, 33 at the end of the season, but as I said, it all depends on how I feel physically,” added Messi.

“At the moment I feel better than ever before physically and I hope I will continue to do so for a long time,” he said.