Three-time world footballer of the year Lionel Messi told The Times on Saturday that he will retire from football the day he feels he is no longer having fun.
The 24-year-old Argentinian - who scored 73 goals in 60 games for Barcelona last season, breaking the European club record of 67 goals set by Bayern Munich's Gerd Mueller in 1972-73 - hinted that for him the fun was going out of the game in general.
"Football is a game. I'm trying to have fun on the pitch, always just to play. That's why I do it. The day I stop having fun is the day I retire.
"I never want to lose that spark, that passion.
"Today teams are playing more statically, more for the final score than producing good football.
Argentinian soccer player Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his third goal during a friendly match against Brazil at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on June 9, 2012. Argentina won 4-3. AFP PHOTO/Mehdi Taamallah