Argentine footballing star Lionel Messi has revealed that his post-retirement ambitions lean towards club ownership rather than management, taking inspiration from his Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham.
“I don’t see myself as a coach. I like the idea of being a manager, but I’d prefer to be an owner,” Messi said during a recent YouTube interview with an Argentinian channel.
“I’d like to have my own club, start from the bottom, and make it grow. To be able to give the kids the opportunity to develop and achieve something important. If I had to choose, that’s what would appeal to me the most.”
The 37-year-old Argentine legend, who remains firmly focused on his playing career after signing a contract extension with Inter Miami through 2028, in October last year said it made him really happy to stay and to continue with the project that, besides being a dream, has “become a beautiful reality”.
“Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here. We’re all really excited about the moment when we can finally play at Miami Freedom Park. It’s going to be something very special to play at home in such a spectacular stadium.”
Last November at the American Business Forum, he also spoke about his growing interest in the business world.
“I like to start looking at what could come next. I like the business world; I want to keep learning. I’m just getting started with it,” he said. “I’ve always been 100 per cent dedicated to my profession, but I know that something else is coming and little by little, I’m getting involved.”
Before retirement, Messi will also defend Argentina’s World Cup title in 2026 and chase another MLS Cup with Inter Miami.