Argentina’s World Cup-winning legend and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi has opened up about what life after professional football could look like for him. Speaking in an interview with Argentine streaming platform Luzu TV, as reported by ESPN, Messi revealed that he doesn’t envision himself becoming a coach once he retires. Instead, he is more attracted to the idea of owning a football club and helping young players develop.
“I do not see myself as a coach,” Messi said candidly. “I like the idea of being a manager, but I would prefer to be an owner. I would like to have my own club, start from the bottom and help it grow. To give kids the opportunity to develop and achieve something important. If I had to choose, that is what appeals to me most.”
The coming year will be particularly significant for Messi. In June, he is expected to feature in what may be his final FIFA World Cup at the age of 38. However, with his recent contract extension at Inter Miami running until 2028, fans may still see him playing into his early 40s.
Messi has already begun laying the groundwork for his post-retirement ambitions. He has teamed up once again with longtime friend and former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez to launch Deportivo LSM, a fourth-division club in Uruguay. According to ESPN, the club already has around 3,000 members and close to 80 working professionals.
His involvement in youth football is also growing. Messi recently introduced the Messi Cup, an under-16 international tournament hosted in Miami. The competition featured academy teams from around the world, aimed at fostering global young talent and encouraging competitive football at early stages. River Plate lifted the inaugural title after defeating Atletico Madrid in the final.
Messi also concluded 2025 with his much-talked-about “GOAT Tour” to India, held from December 13 to 15. The tour included visits to Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi—his first trip back to India since 2011. While the Kolkata event at the Salt Lake Stadium ended amid chaos, the remaining legs were memorable. Throughout the tour, Messi met prominent Indian personalities including Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, football star Sunil Chhetri, ICC chairman Jay Shah and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, all in front of packed stadiums full of passionate fans.
On the field, Messi remains as influential as ever. At 38, he led Inter Miami to the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup title last season. He enjoyed a remarkable campaign, recording 29 goals and 19 assists in just 28 matches. Even though he did not score in the MLS Cup final, he played a decisive playmaking role in Miami’s 3–1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
As Messi edges closer to the final chapters of his playing career, his focus appears to be shifting from scoring goals to shaping the next generation—this time from the owner’s box rather than the dugout.