Messi’s Final Argentine Cap Marks Start of a New Empire

Tue Oct 06 2026 10:08:29 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Lionel Messi bids farewell to Argentina, turning his attention to a growing business empire that goes beyond the pitch.

Lionel Messi has played his last match for Argentina in a friendly against Benin, cementing his place as the nation’s most‑capped player. The 35‑year‑old retired from international duty after a 2026 World Cup final loss to Spain, but he will still continue his club career with Inter Miami through 2028. Beyond the field, Messi is cementing his status as a football owner, having taken control of Spanish clubs UE Cornella and CD Eldense, while building a diversified portfolio that includes hospitality, real‑estate and youth football. His new ventures highlight a strategy of long‑term influence and community engagement that will keep the footballing legend in the sport even after his playing days are over.

Messi’s Final Argentine Cap Marks Start of a New Empire

In a bittersweet farewell, Lionel Messi capped his 208‑game stint for Argentina in a friendly against Benin at the Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Six weeks after the World Cup final defeat by Spain, the Argentine captain announced his retirement from international duty on 31 August, telling the world he had nothing more to give. He will never play a competitive NWS match again, but Inter Miami’s 2028‑season contract means his club career remains active and under review each year.

Messi’s post‑retirement ambitions are far from idle. He has not only targeted ownership of football clubs—acquiring Spanish side UE Cornella in April and announcing his takeover of CD Eldense for the 2025‑26 season—but he also maintains an eye on building a global footprint through business ventures that span hospitality, real‑estate, and youth development.

From Player to Owner, Messi Wants to Shape Football Behind the Scenes

While some of his associates had argued for a coaching role, Messi chose ownership, a position that lets him influence club direction without the daily pressures of match preparation. He is not a hands‑off owner either; he follows Eldense’s fixtures closely on his phone and reacts emotionally to key moments, as when the club downed Real Oviedo 4‑1 with a celebratory Instagram post, “Aupa Deportivo.”

His presence has attracted a wave of sponsorships that had previously stalled; brands eager to align with his name have quickly stepped forward, boosting Eldense’s financial base.

Youth Football: A Passion Beyond Profit

Messi’s love for nurturing young talent is evident in the Messi Cup, an under‑16 tournament he finances and attends every game. Since 2025 it has grown from eight to 16 teams, including clubs like Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Inter Miami, and is now staged at Inter Miami’s campus in Florida.

Newell’s Old Boys, the club where he began his youth career, remains in his portfolio as an academy partner in the Messi Cup, showing his commitment to giving back to the communities that shaped him.

A Diversified Portfolio: From Hotels to Food

Messi’s business reach now includes MiM Hotels, six boutique properties managed by the Melia Group, as well as real‑estate developments like Carrasco M near the Paraná River and a chain of restaurants called El Club de la Milanesa in Catalonia.

His collaboration with Stanley on a line of drinkware, and a lifetime deal with Adidas, underscore a strategy of aligning with brands that resonate with his vision and values.

While the world watches Messi’s greatest on‑field moments, the quieter story is that of a player turning the glories of legend into a lasting legacy both on and off the pitch.

For more context, see the BBC Sport columns on Messi’s retirement and his upcoming ventures in Spanish football.