After losing the final in the FIFA World Cup 2026, Lionel Messi announced his retirement with an emotional post.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleLionel Messi may have left his fans emotional after stepping away from international football, but he is already looking ahead to an ambitious new chapter. Although many fans expected the World Cup winner to step into coaching after his retirement, Messi seems to have a different plans. Mostly, his plans revolve around club ownership, youth development, and business ventures. This update comes after Lionel Messi confirmed his retirement from Argentina's national team.
Most of the football stars move into coaching roles after their retirement. But Messi reportedly has little interest in managing professional football teams. Instead, he is more likely to work around football ownership and sports management. Previously, the Inter Miami star has mentioned that he wanted to build a club from scratch on Luzu TV. This ambition is similar to that of former England captain David Beckham. In his words,
"I don't see myself as a coach... I'd prefer to be an owner. I'd like to have my own club, start from the bottom, and make it grow."
Messi is said to be more drawn towards shaping the overall direction of a football project. He wants to be involved in everything from recruitment and development to long-term planning, rather than looking after match day responsibilities. The important idea behind Messi's post-retirement vision has been his wish to help the next generation of footballers.
Sources close to the football icon suggest that he intends to create opportunities for young players, especially kids who don't have access to expensive training structures. The 2022 World Cup winner himself rose from humble beginnings in Rosario, Argentina. He has his first experience of how such a support system can open new opportunities.
Apart from football, Lionel Messi is also eyeing a bigger role in business. When the Argentine legend was still rising in his career, he built an extensive investment portfolio. At the same time, the football icon made business partnerships. So, local news outlets suggest that Messi might become increasingly involved in managing these businesses after his career ends.
It means that, unlike being a passive investor, Messi can take up a more active role in decision-making. He might also enter new industries beyond football for the same reason.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi is also focused on completing his career with Inter Miami. He has often hinted that the MLS club could be his final destination as a professional player. At the same time, the 39-year-old has often spoken fondly about his boyhood club, Newell's Old Boys; he might not be able to settle in Argentina again. Instead, his family life and security arrangements suggest that he may consider Miami and Barcelona as his long-term base.
Lionel Messi's plans surfaced shortly after he announced his retirement. It means the FIFA World Cup 2026 final was the last time fans saw Messi play an international match.
The football icon shared an emotional message announcing a significant decision that came after much thought. Messi also mentioned the major impact of losing his father, Jorge Messi, after the World Cup, which led him to believe it was time to step away. In his words:
"After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I'm retiring from the national team... It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment. Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Vamos Argentina! I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I'm even more convinced of this decision than before."
What do you think about Lionel Messi's decision of retirement?
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