Messi’s last game for Argentina
On Saturday, Lionel Messi will wear the Selección crest for the 208th time in a friendly against Benin at the José Amalfitani Stadium. He announced his retirement from the national team on 31 August, after the World Cup final loss to Spain, citing a sense that he had “nothing more to give.”
Coach Lionel Scaloni has made it clear that the decision is final, although he says Messi can change his mind if he feels the desire to stay.
Meanwhile, Messi remains a prolific player for Inter Miami, with a contract that runs to the end of the 2028 season. The player is expected to continue playing as long as his body and mind allow.
Owning clubs and steering club futures
Messi has chosen ownership over coaching or a sporting‑director role. He bought Spain’s fifth‑tier club UE Cornella in April and announced ownership of CD Eldense in October. In both cases he is deeply involved, monitoring matches on his computer and aiming for steady progress through the Spanish leagues.
In April 2025, Messi and Luis Suárez founded Deportivo LSM in Uruguay, winning promotion to the third tier in its debut season. The ambition to lead clubs toward La Liga is the current focus, with ownership stakes in Miami and potential future ties to Newell's Old Boys, the club where Messi grew up.
Business empire beyond the pitch
Messi’s net worth is estimated at around $1.1 billion, with earnings of roughly $140 million last year, split between football and business ventures. His most high‑profile deal is a lifetime contract with Adidas, signed in 2017.
He runs MiM Hotels, a boutique chain of six properties across the Mediterranean, and is a partner in the restaurant chain El Club de la Milanesa, which plans to open five outlets in Catalonia. He also invests in a luxury home development, “Carrasco M,” in Rosario, and partners with the drinkware brand Stanley on a multi‑year endorsement.
Messi’s engagement with youth football is evident in his support of the Messi Cup, an under‑16 academy tournament where his presence at every match has become a cornerstone of the event.
In Miami, he spoke to the America Business Forum about learning the ropes of business, stating, “Business is something that interests me. I would like to keep learning because I know nothing and I am just starting out.”
Looking ahead
While Messi’s final international appearance marks the end of a chapter, his influence continues to expand through club ownership, commercial partnerships, and grassroots football initiatives. His future looks set to blend the love of the game with a growing portfolio that extends from stadiums to hospitality and community projects.
