In an interview that sheds light on the next chapter of his legendary career, Lionel Messi has revealed his vision for life after retirement, expressing a definitive preference for club ownership over a future in coaching.
The Inter Miami and Argentina icon, 38, shared these plans with Luzu TV, framing them not as a distant dream but as the logical continuation of his lifelong connection to football.
“I don’t see myself as a coach,” Messi stated plainly. “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.”
He emphasized the philanthropic core of this ambition, stating his desire is “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.”. This path draws clear inspiration from his current environment, nodding to Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham’s successful transition from global star to club executive.
The football legend’s post-retirement blueprint is already moving from concept to reality. In partnership with his longtime friend Luis Suarez, Messi has taken a stake in Uruguayan club Deportivo LSM.
Closer to his Argentine roots, his family is also involved with Leones de Rosario FC, a fourth-tier club in Santa Fe Province. Furthermore, his recent launch of the international youth competition, the Messi Cup, underscores his deepening commitment to fostering the next generation of talent.
Messi’s calm and forward-looking perspective is rooted in a profound sense of professional fulfillment. When asked about remaining sporting goals, he reflected with contentment, “No, what could I still be missing? I was able to do everything.”
He credited his 2022 World Cup victory with Argentina as a culminating point, saying, “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.”
This clarity about the future comes as Messi continues to perform at the highest level, recently signing a contract extension with Inter Miami through 2028. His immediate focus remains on the pitch, with a strong desire to defend Argentina’s World Cup title in 2026, a tournament he calls “special for everyone.”.
“I hope I can be there. I’ve said before that I’d love to be there,” he told ESPN, though he pragmatically acknowledged that his final decision hinges on his physical condition. “At worst, I’ll be there watching it live,” he added. In another interview, he elaborated, “I want to go there feeling good about myself, so that I can contribute and be important.”.