By Waqar Ali Shah, Sports Business Correspondent | Jan 7, 2026 |ย Sports
Key Takeaways
- Direct Rejection of Coaching: Messi has officially ruled out the dugout, making Lionel Messi club ownership his primary post retirement focus.
- Grassroots Priority: His vision centers on starting from the bottom to provide opportunities for youth players.
- Active Venture: The partnership in Deportivo LSM proves that his ownership journey has already begun in South America.
Contractual Future: Beyond his Uruguayan project, his contract includes a future ownership stake in Inter Miami.
The question of what comes next for the worldโs greatest player has finally been answered by the man himself. In a revealing new interview with Argentine outlet Luzu TV, the Inter Miami star has confirmed that Lionel Messi club ownership is the definitive path for his post-playing career.
By explicitly ruling out a future in coaching, the 38 year old is signaling a shift toward a more permanent, architectural role in the sport. As a coach, I honestly don’t see myself, Messi stated in the interview, which was widely reported by the Buenos Aires Times. I like the idea of being a manager, but if I have to choose, I like being an owner the most. This pivot toward Lionel Messi club ownership isn’t just a retirement plan; it is a calculated move to redefine how football talent is nurtured globally.
The Anti Manager Blueprint
While many legendary players instinctively move to the touchline, Messi is choosing the boardroom to ensure long term stability. The appeal of Lionel Messi club ownership lies in the ability to start from the bottom and make it grow. Unlike the high turnover world of coaching, ownership allows him to implement a philosophy that lasts decades rather than seasons.
Messiโs desire to help young players grow through his own organization suggests that Lionel Messi club ownership will prioritize the La Masia model focusing on grassroots development rather than just high profile transfers. He is looking to build a machine that produces talent, rather than just managing it on the field.
The First Step: Deportivo LSM
This isn’t just a theoretical ambition. The first tangible evidence of Lionel Messi club ownership is already active in Uruguay. Alongside longtime friend Luis Suรกrez, Messi has joined the project of Deportivo LSM. Originally a grassroots initiative by Suรกrez, the club has been professionalized with Messiโs involvement, currently competing in the Uruguayan fourth division.
As reported by ESPN, Deportivo LSM serves as a low pressure laboratory for the future of Lionel Messi club ownership. With over 3,000 members and state of the art facilities, it allows Messi to refine his bottom up strategy. It proves that his vision of ownership is hands on and focused on providing the kids the opportunity to develop and achieve something important.
Comparing the Beckham and Messi Models
When discussing Lionel Messi club ownership, the comparison to David Beckham is inevitable. However, while Beckham used his brand to launch a top tier MLS franchise (Inter Miami), Messi seems focused on a more developmental approach. Beckham built a destination; Messi is building a foundation.
As the 2026 MLS season approaches, the industry is closely watching how Lionel Messi club ownership will expand. With a future minority ownership stake in Inter Miami already part of his contract, Messi is positioning himself to be the most influential owner builder the game has ever seen. For Messi, the goal isn’t just to own a team itโs to own the future of the game.
FAQ
Which team owns Messi?
Lionel Messi is currently owned by (or rather, plays for) Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer (MLS). His contract runs through the end of the 2025 season with options for 2026. Internationally, he still represents the Argentina National Team and has confirmed he intends to lead them into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Who unfollowed Messi?
Social media unfollows often spark rumors. Most recently, fans noted that PSGโs official Instagram account lost millions of followers (the unfollow campaign) after Messi left the club. In terms of individuals, various celebrities and players have been rumored to unfollow him during sporting rivalries, but there is no confirmed highprofile feud resulting in an unfollow recently.
How many trophies does Messi have in total?
Lionel Messi is the most decorated player in football history. As of January 2026, he has won 46 official collective trophies for club and country. This includes his record breaking hauls at FC Barcelona, his titles with PSG, his recent trophies with Inter Miami (including the 2025 MLS Cup), and his major international honors like the World Cup and two Copa Amรฉricas.
Who is the GOAT ๐ in football?
While this is a subjective debate, Lionel Messi is widely considered the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) by the majority of football analysts and fans, especially after leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His record 8 Ballon d’Or awards and total trophy count give him a statistical edge over Cristiano Ronaldo, who remains his only modern rival for the title.
Who is richer, Messi or Ronaldo?
As of early 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the richer of the two. Ronaldo’s net worth is estimated at approximately $1.4 billion, largely driven by his record breaking contract with Al Nassr and his extensive “CR7” brand (hotels, gyms, and fashion). Lionel Messi’s net worth is estimated at around $850 million, though his wealth is growing rapidly through equity stakes in Inter Miami and profit sharing deals with Apple and Adidas.
Why does Beckham only own 10% of Inter Miami?
While David Beckham is the face of the club, he is part of an ownership group. He exercised a $25 million expansion option (a clause from his 2007 Galaxy contract) to start the team. However, the majority of the financial backing comes from Jorge and Jose Mas, billionaire brothers who own over 60% of the club. Beckhamโs stake is estimated between 10% and 15%, which is now worth over $150 million due to the Messi effect.
What companies does Messi own?
The Messi Group: Manages his brand and global commercial interests.
MiM Hotels: A chain of luxury hotels in Spain and Andorra.
Edificio Rostower: His real estate investment company, which recently went public.
Play Time: A San Francisco based investment firm focused on sports and technology startups.
Deportivo LSM: His recent venture into club ownership in Uruguay.
Did Manchester City buy Messi?
No. Manchester City never officially signed Messi. They came very close in 2020 when Messi sent a “burofax” expressing his desire to leave Barcelona, and again in 2021 before he signed with PSG. Interestingly, there is a famous story that Man City accidentally made a ยฃ70 million bid for him in 2008 due to a boardroom communication mistake, but the transfer never happened.
๐ป๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐จ๐๐๐๐๐๐
