Lionel Messi: Ambitious Plans Beyond the ‘Golden Era’
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Lionel Messi has played his final international match representing Argentina.
Breaking records as Argentina’s most capped player and top scorer, Messi stepped off the pitch after his 208th match, where his fans gave him an emotional farewell.
The friendly game against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires was his last international appearance. Argentina won the match 3-0 with Messi contributing a goal.
Messi is considered one of Argentina’s greatest players, alongside Diego Maradona. Following Argentina’s defeat in the 2022 World Cup final to Spain, he announced his departure from the national team after eight months.
Coach Lionel Scaloni had stated that Messi could return to the team anytime he wished and that changing his mind was nothing to be ashamed of. However, it seems that chapter has now closed.
However, his club career continues. Messi’s contract with Inter Miami runs until 2028 and is subject to annual renewal. Those close to him do not envision an early departure.
It’s believed Messi will renew his contract if he feels physically and mentally prepared to continue.
When asked about his future plans, those close to Messi smile, as he has no definite plans following his next game.
Available clues indicate he wants to remain in football, as life without the sport would be difficult. Beyond that, his business interests have grown substantially.
An Owner Who Wants To Be Involved In Everything
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Previously, Messi had preferred a role as a sporting director or presidential advisor, which required less travel or calls but allowed involvement in key decisions.
Recently, when asked, he expressed a desire to become an owner rather than a coach. He finds coaching too stressful given the constant pressure of weekly results.
As an owner, he wants to set the club’s direction, appoint management, stay active, and be involved in all tasks.
His initial preparations are underway in Spain. In March, he purchased UE Cornellà, a fifth-tier youth training club in Barcelona, focused on training adolescent footballers.
Second division club CD Eldense announced Messi as its new owner from October 1, pending approval by the Spanish Sports Council (CSD).
Eldense will now be a club under Messi’s football leadership. His main objective this season is to avoid relegation to a lower division. Former Villarreal chief Javi Calleja has been brought in under the new ownership.
Until Messi can dedicate himself full-time, he intends to delegate trusted personnel to maintain connections with the club and manage operations.
Currently, Messi monitors all Eldense matches from his computer and posted his first message as the club’s owner on Instagram, congratulating the team after a 4-1 win against Real Oviedo.
Messi’s name has attracted nearly a dozen sponsors quickly. Some of these brands were previously linked to former owners but could not finalize agreements.
Many of these sponsors have longstanding relationships with him.
In Uruguay, Messi and Luis Suárez established Deportivo LSM in 2025. They achieved promotion to the third tier in their first season.
Although preliminary discussions were held about expanding the club network, investment challenges have currently put those plans on hold. Messi’s current focus remains on whether Eldense can establish itself in La Liga.
He also maintains ties with Miami. His Inter Miami contract grants him a guaranteed share in the club post-retirement, though he is not involved in his personal franchise within this plan.
Will Messi return to his childhood club Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario? Although it’s the club where he played as a child, this plan has not been formally discussed.
Conversations with close friend Suárez suggest Messi might be considering options such as playing again at Barcelona or spending time at Maradona’s former club Napoli.
However, none of these expectations are currently voiced. All plans appear centered on Europe and Miami.
Expanding Business Empire and Passion for Youth Football
Image source, Reuters
Newell’s Old Boys also remains close to Messi, as it is among the 16 academies participating this year in the “Messi Cup.”
For Messi, young football is as important as owning clubs. His constant presence to watch his sons play and organizing the Messi Cup illustrate this commitment.
The Messi Cup, which began in 2025 with eight teams, has seen Messi invest both money and time.
Organizers had expected Messi to attend only one or two matches last year, but he watched every game live.
This year, the number of participating teams doubled, with clubs like Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Arsenal, and UE Cornellà competing at the Inter Miami complex in Florida from October 25.
Off the field, Messi has built a vast portfolio. According to a Forbes report from June, his net worth is $1.1 billion, with earnings of nearly $140 million from football and business in the past year.
The 2017 deal with Adidas stands as his most informative endorsement agreement.
Other prominent investments include seven boutique hotels under the MIM brand, scattered from Ibiza to Andorra, operated by the Meliá Hotel Group since November 1, 2025.
The MIM brand name combines Messi and Majestic Hotel Group, managed by Meliá Collection.
His family has invested in 24 residential properties in Rosario, with the real estate company Ángel De María facilitating sales.
Messi is also a partner in El Club de la Milanesa, an entrepreneur group operating five restaurant branches in Catalonia.
He maintains long-term partnerships with companies related to beverage leasing.
Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, was deeply involved in managing his son’s business life until his death in August at age 68. Jorge oversaw his son’s business affairs from the beginning, with initial advice occasionally sparking disputes with Spanish tax authorities.
Since then, the company has expanded into TV production, marketing, media, and commercial partnerships, having been established before Jorge’s serious illness.
Messi trusts the team managing his business and keeps longtime friends as part of the core team. He delegates tasks to those he feels comfortable with.
He controls his business affairs independently and allows no one to impose decisions on him.
In Miami last November, he stated, “I am interested in business. I want to learn new things because I don’t know much, and I have just started.”
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