Argentina and Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has claimed he is unsure about when his national team captain Lionel Messi will retire.
Over the last four years, Fernandez has established himself as a regular starter for Argentina, operating primarily in a number eight role. He has also formed a decent partnership with Messi for La Albiceleste, playing together 29 times and combining for five joint goal participations.
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During a recent interview with OLE, Fernandez was asked to shed light on Messi’s future as the Inter Miami attacker is set to turn 39 this June. He responded (h/t The Chelsea Chronicle):
“I have no idea if it is the last time or not and we always try to enjoy with Leo to the fullest every moment we have in the national team and we always take it responsibly.”
Messi, 38, is expected to feature in his last FIFA World Cup this summer, hoping to help Argentina defend their crown in North America. However, he has yet to reveal if he will continue to play for his national side after the conclusion of the World Cup in July this year.
So far, the Barcelona legend has featured in a record 196 games for Argentina and has produced 115 goals and 64 assists. He has helped La Albiceleste lift one FIFA World Cup crown, two Copa America trophies, and also a CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions crown till now.
MLS star opines on beating Lionel Messi
Nashville midfielder Patrick Yazbek has suggested Lionel Messi is not unstoppable following his team’s recent CONCACAF Champions Cup win over Inter Miami. The Australian said (h/t ESPN):
“I’ve faced him like (seven) times now (and), yeah, finally, we got him. We got him good. For me, he’s the greatest player of all time, so to come up against him and to get one over him is, I think, a massive honour. What I’ve learned is that he’s not unstoppable.”
Yazbek, a 23-year-old defensive midfielder, concluded:
“There are definitely ways in which you can manage him, but you need to respect him a lot. It teaches you about yourself, (that) I’m capable of playing against a player like him and, putting up performances that I did, means I have more belief in myself now than I did before.”
The Inter Miami captain will next be in action for his club in a league match against Austin on April 5 after the end of the international break.
Edited by Debkalpa Banerjee
