Chandy Oommen Hopes Messi Will Stay Active in Football Post-Retirement

Congress MLA Chandy Oommen has shared his hopes for Lionel Messi's future in football, suggesting that the legendary player could continue to contribute to the sport through coaching or other roles after his international retirement. Messi, who has had a remarkable career with Argentina, is celebrated for his achievements, including winning the FIFA World Cup and Copa America. Oommen believes that Messi's influence on football can persist beyond his playing days, and fans are eager to see how the football icon will shape the sport in the future.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 1, 2026, 23:58 IST

Chandy Oommen's Vision for Messi's Future in Football

Kottayam (Keralam) [India], September 1: Congress MLA Chandy Oommen expressed optimism regarding Lionel Messi's future involvement in football, even after he steps away from international play. Oommen suggested that the Argentine superstar could still play a significant role in the sport through coaching or other contributions.

“This announcement has indeed taken the football community by surprise; it’s a reality we must accept. However, I hope that even after retiring from playing, Messi will not distance himself from promoting or coaching football. While he may no longer be on the field as a player, I believe he can still impact the sport in various capacities,” Oommen remarked.

His comments came in response to Messi's recent decision to conclude his illustrious international career with Argentina.

Messi debuted for the national team in 2005, becoming Argentina's most-capped player and all-time leading scorer with 203 appearances and 124 goals. He also holds the record for the most goals scored in South American international football history.

The Argentine's international career was marked by challenges, including a painful loss to Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final and a brief retirement in 2016 following another defeat in the Copa America final against Chile.

Nevertheless, Messi made a comeback, leading Argentina to their first major international title in 28 years by winning the Copa America in 2021.

He achieved the pinnacle of his career at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he guided Argentina to victory over France in a dramatic final that ended 3-3 after extra time, with Argentina winning 4-2 on penalties. Messi scored twice during the final and successfully converted his penalty in the shootout.

Argentina also claimed the Copa America title again in 2024, further solidifying Messi's legacy with the national team.

Throughout his international career, Messi participated in six FIFA World Cups from 2006 to 2026, netting 21 goals in 34 matches. He currently ranks second on the all-time scoring list for the tournament, just behind France's Kylian Mbappe, who has 22 goals.

During the 2026 World Cup, Messi scored eight goals and provided four assists, including his first World Cup hat-trick against Algeria. He had previously surpassed Germany's Miroslav Klose on the World Cup scoring list before Mbappe overtook him.

Despite retiring from international football, Messi's playing days are far from over. He will continue to represent Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, and it is anticipated that he will remain active in club football.

For Oommen, Messi's impact on the sport is expected to extend beyond his playing career, as he hopes the football icon will continue to contribute to the game in new ways.