Messi reveals his future role in football

The upcoming World Cup in 2026 will be remembered (among other things) by a sad fact: The three men which shaped the football world in the last 20+ years will bow from the international scene. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar will certainly make their last appearance in their national teams, but considering their age and injury records, they will soon stop playing football altogether. Nobody knows what will this actually happen, but the public is already guessing what will they do when they finish football career. Will they simply walk away from football, or will they become coaches? So far, only Lionel Messi gave a clear indication.

The Argentinian star moved to Inter Miami in 2023 and the club’s co-owner David Beckham played a big role in his decision, considering that he had many other offers, Saudi Arabia included. And now it seems that former Manchester United winger influenced Messi in another way too.

"I don't see myself as a coach. I like the idea of being a manager, but I'd prefer to be an owner. 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 most" Messi said in an interview with Luzu TV, an Argentine streaming channel.

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Messi is currently 38 years old and has signed a contract extension with Inter Miami until 2028, when he will be 40 years old. If he stops playing then he can either buy a club and become a full-time owner, or maybe increase his involvement in Inter. Messi has a future minority ownership stake in Miami, which means he'll influence both the sporting department and commercial interests of the club for years to come.

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Media have already ‘found out’ that a potential new club, in which he could really start from the bottom could be Uruguayan fourth division team Deportivo LSM. The club, with initials that stand for Luis Suarez and Messi, boasts 80 working professionals and 3,000 members.

"Deportivo LS is a family dream that began in 2018. We have grown a lot with more than 3,000 members. I want to offer Uruguayan soccer, the place I love and where I grew up as a child, opportunities and tools for teenagers and children to grow" said Suarez, who initially began the project before inviting Messi to participate.

"I'm proud and happy that you chose me, so I hope to contribute everything I can to continue growing and, above all, to be by your side in this" Messi said in an announcement.