Lionel Messi envisions owning a team once his playing career is over
MLS superstar Lionel Messi aspires to emulate Inter Miami’s David Beckham by becoming a club owner once he retires from playing.
The 38-year-old Argentine legend, currently contracted with Miami until 2028, expressed a preference for ownership rather than coaching in his next chapter.
“I don’t view myself as a coach,” the two-time MLS MVP and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner shared with Argentine streaming channel Luzu TV in an interview released on Tuesday.
I aspire to establish my own club, beginning from the ground up and growing it into something significant. Providing children with the chance to grow and accomplish something meaningful.
Messi led Inter Miami to their inaugural MLS Cup championship in 2025 and has secured a future minority ownership stake in the MLS club as part of his contract.
In May, he assisted his longtime former MLS and FC Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez in establishing a new fourth-division club, Deportivo LSM, in Suarez’s home country of Uruguay.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Luis for this opportunity, for inviting me to collaborate with him on this project that he has dedicated many years to and that has seen significant growth,” Messi stated at the time, according to ESPN Uruguay.
It is a privilege to be involved in this. I am eager to offer my utmost efforts to help this club thrive and to stand alongside you.
On February 21, Messi and Miami will kick off the 2026 MLS regular season against Los Angeles FC.
