Sergio Reguilón: Messi isn’t mentally ready to retire, insists Inter Miami teammate
In a recent interview Sergio Reguilón says Lionel Messi shows no sign of a retirement mindset at Inter Miami, insisting the Argentina captain remains decisive in matches and training.
Who, what, when and why it matters: Inter Miami left back Sergio Reguilón told Spanish YouTuber TheGrefg that Lionel Messi is not mentally approaching retirement, despite the forward turning 39 during the next World Cup cycle. The comments — given during Reguilón’s appearance on TheGrefg’s channel and reported by World Soccer Talk on 26 May 2026 — matter because they come from a current teammate who sees Messi daily in training and matches and who credits the Argentina captain with continuing to make decisive contributions for Inter Miami.
Why Reguilón says Messi remains fully engaged
Reguilón pushed back when TheGrefg suggested being in the same locker room with Messi felt like sharing space with someone at the very end of his career. According to the report, Reguilón corrected that view and emphasised that while many people assume Messi is in his twilight, that mindset does not reflect how Messi views himself. He said those assumptions are ‘what people believe in their heads’ and that, in Reguilón’s view, Messi still sees himself as a player who can perform at a high level and ‘makes a difference’ in every match.
Training, matches and the impact on team-mates
Reguilón described being blown away by Messi’s level both in training and on the pitch. He told TheGrefg — as relayed by World Soccer Talk — that defending Messi is ‘impossible’ and that even in training Messi will do things teammates wonder about afterwards. Reguilón added that, when he sees Messi on the ball, he will encourage the forward to take it and create, highlighting the trust and tactical understanding that has developed within the Inter Miami squad.
Context: Reguilón’s move to Inter Miami and role on the left
The report notes Reguilón joined Inter Miami to fill the left-back role vacated after Jordi Alba’s retirement. Reguilón’s start in MLS was hampered by injuries that caused him to miss nine matches early in his Miami career, but he has since established himself in the team and says he has been directly influenced by Messi’s presence and performances.
- Reguilón told TheGrefg that Messi is not mentally nearing retirement, despite public perception.
- He says Messi ‘makes a difference’ in every match and continues to be decisive in training and games.
- Reguilón joined Inter Miami to replace Jordi Alba and missed nine matches early on with injuries before cementing his place.
- Comments were reported by World Soccer Talk on 26 May 2026.
Reguilón also revealed that he sought advice from Jordi Alba before joining Miami; Alba advised him to make runs and trust Messi to provide accurate passes into space, a tactical tip Reguilón described as ‘very valid’.
Why it matters for Inter Miami and Messi’s broader narrative
Comments from a teammate carry weight because they reflect daily experience rather than outside speculation. If Messi’s own mindset is one of continued belief and competitiveness — as Reguilón says — that helps explain why Inter Miami have built their game around him and why teammates report a high level of trust. For broader narratives about Messi’s career stage, Reguilón’s view provides a counterpoint to media talk of an inevitable ‘twilight’.
What happens next: The report does not include direct comments from Messi, Inter Miami’s coaching staff, or statistical evidence to quantify Messi’s influence this season. Further coverage could include the full interview transcript with TheGrefg, match statistics, or reactions from other teammates and club representatives to confirm and expand on Reguilón’s observations.