Messi Eyes Club Ownership When the Final Whistle Blows

Lionel Messi has made clear he won't be trading his boots for a manager's clipboard when his playing days end. Instead, the Inter Miami star harbours grander ambitions: owning and building his own football club from scratch.

At 38 and in the twilight of his career in MLS, Messi is already casting his thoughts forward. This summer's World Cup is expected to mark his international swansong, whilst a fresh contract extension keeps him at Inter Miami through at least 2028. But the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is increasingly focused on life beyond the pitch.

When asked about his post-retirement plans, Messi was adamant about what doesn't appeal to him. "I don't see myself as a coach," he told Luzu TV. "I like the idea of being a manager, but I'd prefer to be an owner. I'd like to have my own club, start from the bottom, and make it grow."

His vision goes beyond simply owning a team for profit. Messi wants to nurture young talent and provide opportunities for development. "To be able to give the kids the opportunity to develop and achieve something important. If I had to choose, that's what would appeal to me most," he explained—a path not dissimilar to David Beckham's ownership model at Inter Miami.

The Argentine has already begun exploring life away from football. Speaking to the American Business Forum, Messi acknowledged he's shifting his focus incrementally. "Little by little, I'm starting to focus on life away from the pitch," he said. "I like to start looking at what could come next. I like the business world; I want to keep learning. I'm just getting started with it."

Despite his legendary status, Messi insists he's maintained unwavering dedication to his profession. "I've always been 100 per cent dedicated to my profession, but I know that something else is coming – another world – and little by little, I'm getting involved," he noted.

As for regrets, Messi has precious few. With 12 league titles, four Champions League crowns, the World Cup, and two Copa America trophies adorning his cabinet, he's left nothing undone. The World Cup victory in Qatar, which eluded him for so long, proved the final piece.

"No, what could I still be missing? I was able to do everything," Messi reflected. "As I always say, God gave me much more than I ever imagined. And everything came at the right moment, because when it felt like it was already impossible, the trophies with the Argentina national team arrived, which was what I wanted the most and the only thing I was missing."

He continued: "The Copa America came in 2021 and I said, 'Well, at least I won something with the national team.' And then Qatar happened. That's why the gesture I made to my family after the final was basically saying, 'That's it.' After that, we could all be at peace knowing we had done everything."

"Everything that comes from now on is a gift and I'm more than grateful for everything I've been able to live through and achieve," Messi concluded.