Mkhitaryan plans to play one more season before deciding on retirement

Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan says he expects to play for at least one more season before deciding whether to extend his career or retire from professional football.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with FC Pyunik’s media service on Saturday, the former Armenia captain said he remains highly motivated and hopes to bring his playing career to a close on his own terms.

“I can’t allow myself to stop halfway and leave unfinished what I’ve started,” Mkhitaryan said. “I want to finish on a high note. I hope to play for one more year, and after that we’ll see what happens.”

The 37-year-old said he has no intention of continuing if he can no longer perform at the level he expects of himself.

“Every morning I wake up excited to go to training and play matches,” he said. “That motivation is what keeps me performing at the highest level.”

Mkhitaryan credited hard work, discipline and self-belief as the foundations of success.

“The road to success is never easy,” he said. “You have to keep fighting, keep working and believe in yourself.”

He added that talent alone is not enough to reach the top.

“There is no talent without discipline, and there is no discipline without hard work,” Mkhitaryan said.

Offering advice to young footballers, he urged them to focus on daily improvement and avoid distractions.

“Work every day, both on and off the pitch,” he said. “Try to spend less time on smartphones. They can become a distraction.”

Mkhitaryan has been with Inter since 2022 and continues to play a significant role for the Serie A club.