Lionel Messi has ended his Argentina career after 208 appearances, but will continue playing at club level. He is building football projects in Spain while investing in hotels, property and consumer brands.
The farewell took place at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium. Argentina beat Benin 3-0, with Messi scoring a goal. The Argentine Football Association described the match as the captain’s farewell to supporters. Messi had previously announced the end of his international career. It was his 208th appearance for the national team.
His Inter Miami contract runs through the end of 2028 and is reviewed annually. People close to the player say he could renew it if he feels physically and mentally ready. The deal also provides for him to receive a stake in the club after his playing career ends.
Messi has said he would rather become a club owner than a coach. He wants to be involved in decisions rather than simply appoint a manager. In April, he bought Spanish fifth-tier side UE Cornellà. In October, he announced the acquisition of second-division CD Eldense, a deal awaiting final approval from Spain’s National Sports Council. Eldense’s immediate aim is to avoid relegation. Former Villarreal coach Javi Calleja has taken charge.
Until Messi can devote more time to the clubs, trusted executives will manage them. He follows Eldense matches from afar. After a 4-1 win over Real Oviedo, he posted “Aupa Deportivo” on Instagram, meaning “Come on, Deportivo.” The club also attracted interest from potential sponsors in the first days after the takeover was announced.
Messi is already involved in club projects outside Spain. He and Luis Suárez founded Deportivo LSM in Uruguay, which moved up to the third division in its first season. Plans for a broader club network have been put on hold because of the investment required. Another project is the Messi Cup for under-16 academies. It began in 2025 with eight teams, and Messi attended every match of the inaugural tournament.
His business interests span hotels, property, restaurants and sports-related consumer goods. Forbes estimated his net worth at $1.1 billion in June and reported earnings of about $140 million over the previous 12 months. He signed a lifetime deal with Adidas in 2017. His MIM portfolio includes six boutique hotels from Ibiza to Andorra, operated under lease agreements since Nov. 1, 2025.
The Messi family company invested in Carrasco M, a Rosario development of 24 luxury homes. Ángel Di María’s agency is handling sales. In Spain, Messi is a partner in the El Club de la Milanesa restaurant chain, which plans to open five locations in Catalonia. He also has a partnership with Stanley and took part in decisions about product details.
Messi’s father, Jorge, who died in August aged 68, managed his affairs from the start and built the foundation for ventures in television production, marketing, media and commercial partnerships. A trusted team, some of whom have worked with Messi since his early Barcelona days, now vets proposals. At the America Business Forum in Miami in November, Messi said business attracted him and that he wanted to learn more because he was only just starting and still had much to learn.