Messi returns to Miami, decision looms on Argentina national team future

Lionel Messi has landed in Miami, Florida, ending his break in Argentina and preparing to rejoin Inter Miami. While his contract with the club runs until 2028, the immediate priority is to resolve his future with the Argentine national team. The team faces its first match after the World Cup in less than two months, a decision point Messi has reportedly hinted at being his last game.

Messi maintained a low profile following the World Cup final, opting to return to Rosario instead of Buenos Aires. He spent time with his family and briefly appeared at a match for Leones Fútbol Club, a team he manages. His only public statement was a somber social media post expressing sadness over the lost final and thanking supporters, without indicating his intentions regarding the national team.

Despite his age, Messi's performance in the World Cup, with eight goals and four assists, demonstrated his continued ability to perform at the highest level. However, future major tournaments, such as the 2028 Copa América and the 2030 World Cup, would see him playing at ages 41 and 43, respectively. His return to Miami sets the stage for him to make a decision on his international career in the coming weeks.

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the pain is very great and it will be difficult to close this wound