Lionel Messi builds football and business empire beyond Argentina farewell

Lionel Messi is preparing to play his final match for Argentina, but the end of his international career will mark the beginning of a new phase rather than the conclusion of his life in football.

The 208th appearance for his country will come in a friendly against Benin at the Monumental in Buenos Aires. Messi, Argentina’s most-capped player and record goalscorer, is widely regarded alongside Diego Maradona as the greatest footballer in the nation’s history after leading Argentina to global glory.

He announced his international retirement on 31 August, six weeks after Argentina lost to Spain in the World Cup final, saying he no longer felt he had anything left to give the national team. However, manager Lionel Scaloni has continued to leave the door open, saying Messi could change his mind and that doing so would not be a disgrace.

The indications are that this chapter is nevertheless coming to an end. At club level, there is no immediate sign of retirement. Messi’s contract with Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season, subject to an annual review, and those close to him do not expect him to leave before then. A further extension remains possible if he believes he is still physically and mentally able to play.

Messi has traditionally focused on the next match rather than making long-term plans, but his future is increasingly taking shape around football ownership, youth development and investment. He has said he would prefer to own a club rather than coach one, because ownership would allow him to shape a project without the weekly pressure of results, injuries and criticism. He does not want simply to appoint a manager and step away, but to remain involved in decisions and the club’s day-to-day direction.

From Spain to Uruguay

Messi’s football ownership plans began in Spain. He acquired UE Cornella, a club from the Barcelona suburbs competing in the fifth tier, in April, with the intention of creating a pathway for young players.

On 1 October, ownership of second-tier Spanish club CD Eldense was announced as having transferred to Messi, subject to final approval from Spain’s Higher Sports Council. Eldense is expected to become the central part of his project, although its immediate objective is avoiding relegation. Javi Calleja, formerly of Villarreal, was appointed manager as the new ownership arrived.

Trusted representatives currently run both clubs and act as the link between Messi and the organisations. He regularly watches Eldense matches on his computer and posted “Aupa Deportivo” on Instagram after their 4-1 victory over Real Oviedo. Within days, about 12 companies had expressed interest in sponsoring the club, including businesses that had previously negotiated with the former owners and others with existing commercial links to Messi.

In Uruguay, Messi and close friend Luis Suarez founded Deportivo LSM in May 2025. The club won promotion to the country’s third division in its first season. Plans for a wider network of clubs lost momentum because of the cost of moving teams through different divisions, leaving Eldense as Messi’s main focus.

His Inter Miami contract also includes a share in the club’s ownership after retirement, although he has no current plans to establish another club in the United States.

A return to Argentina, particularly to childhood club Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario, remains an attractive idea for supporters but has never been formally discussed. A move back to Barcelona or a short spell at Napoli, historically associated with Maradona, are also not scenarios expected by those close to Messi. His current plans centre on Europe and Miami, with a family home in Castelldefels, near Barcelona and the sea, offering a long-term base.

Investment beyond football

Youth football remains a particular priority. Newell’s Old Boys are one of 16 academies taking part in this year’s Messi Cup, which begins on 25 October at Inter Miami’s facilities in Florida. The tournament also includes Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Arsenal and UE Cornella.

Messi follows his son’s matches and the associated events and contributes time and money to youth competitions, according to BBC Sport. The event began with eight teams, but last year he surprised organisers by attending every match instead of only one or two and possibly the final.

Away from football, Messi has built an investment portfolio that contributed to Forbes estimating his net worth at about $1.1bn in June. His income during the previous year was close to $140m from football and commercial activities.

His long-term partnership with Adidas, signed in 2017, is among his best-known deals. His MiM Hotels business comprises six boutique hotels from Ibiza to Andorra, managed by Melia under a lease agreement in force since 1 November. The name combines Messi with Majestic Hotel Group, while the properties operate within Melia Collection.

In Rosario, the family company is investing in Carrasco M, a residential development of 24 homes overlooking the Parana River. Sales are handled by the property agency owned by Argentina forward Angel Di Maria. Messi also owns a stake in El Club de la Milanesa, which plans to open five sites in Catalonia, beginning in Castelldefels.

He has additionally entered the market for mate, the traditional South American drink, through a range made with Stanley. It is Stanley’s first long-term deal with a sportsman, and Messi helped select the materials and colours.

Messi’s business career began with his father, Jorge, who managed his affairs from the early years. Jorge Messi died in August aged 68. Early advice and decisions led to difficulties with Spain’s tax authorities, but the operation later developed into a more structured network covering television production, marketing, media and commercial partnerships.

Today, trusted advisers, some of whom have been with Messi since his early Barcelona years, assess investment opportunities before presenting them to him. He remains the final decision-maker and does not allow others to dictate his direction.

“I am interested in the business world. I would like to continue learning because I know nothing and am still at the beginning,” Messi said at the Americas Business Forum in Miami last November.

After more than two decades at football’s summit, Messi is not ready to leave the sport completely. His international era is almost over, but his story is continuing through club ownership, youth development, business and the possibility of more achievements on the pitch.