> At a Glance
> – Lionel Messi says he wants to own a club, not coach, after retiring
> – The 38-year-old signed a three-year extension with Inter Miami through 2028
> – He already co-owns Uruguay’s fourth-tier side Deportivo LSM and holds a future stake in Inter Miami
> – Why it matters: One of soccer’s biggest stars is planning his post-retirement move into club ownership, potentially reshaping how athletes transition into management
Lionel Messi has mapped out his next chapter: club owner, not coach. In a December interview that aired Tuesday on Luzu TV, the Inter Miami star said building a club from scratch excites him far more than standing on the touchline.
Ownership Ambitions
> Messi told Luzu TV:
> “I don’t see myself as a coach. I like management, but if I have to decide for one of the three I would like to be an owner.”
> “I would like to have my own club, to be able to grow it, to start from the bottom and to be able to give the kids, the people, the opportunity to grow and make it an important club. If I had to choose, that’s what would appeal to me most.”
Already Building Experience
Messi isn’t waiting for retirement to test the ownership waters.
- Deportivo LSM: Co-owns the Uruguayan fourth-tier side with Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez
- Inter Miami: Holds a future minority ownership stake written into his current contract
- Timeline: Signed the three-year extension in October, keeping him at the club through 2028
Suárez on Deportivo LSM last May:
> “Deportivo LS is a family dream that began in 2018. We have grown a lot with more than 3,000 members.”
Still Dominating MLS
While planning his post-playing future, Messi continues to rewrite the league’s record books.
| Award/Stat | 2024 Figures |
|---|---|
| MLS Golden Boot | 29 goals (five clear of nearest rivals) |
| Assists | 19 |
| Total Goal Contributions | 48 (one shy of Carlos Vela’s 2019 record) |
| MVP Awards | First ever back-to-back winner in MLS history |
Key Takeaways
- Messi’s next act will be in the boardroom, not the dugout
- He wants to create opportunities for young players through club ownership
- Already gaining experience with Deportivo LSM and future Inter Miami stake
- On-field excellence continues with Golden Boot and historic MVP repeat
As the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner prepares for life after soccer, he’s clearly thinking bigger than personal accolades-he wants to build something that lasts.
