"Don't see myself as a coach, would prefer to be a club owner": Messi on post-retirement plans

Buenos Aires [Argentina], January 7 : Argentina's FIFA World Cup-winning icon and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi opened up on his post-retirement plans, ruling out the possibility of being a coach and preferring to be the owner of a football club of his own someday, giving a chance to young footballers to hone their skills.

Messi was speaking during an interview with Luzu TV, an Argentine streaming channel, as per ESPN. This whole year, a lot of eyes are going to be on Messi since in June, he would take to the field for what, in all possibility, would be his final FIFA World Cup at the age of 38. But a recent extension with Inter Miami till 2028 could see him gracing the football pitch well into his 40s.

Speaking during the interview, as quoted by ESPN, Messi spoke on preferring ownership over coaching. "I do not see myself as a coach. I like the idea of being a manager, but I'd prefer to be an owner. I would 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 is what would appeal to me most," he added.

Notably, in his twilight years, Messi seems to have begun taking baby steps toward his post-retirement ambitions, partnering with longtime Barcelona and Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez to launch a fourth-division club in Uruguay, Deportivo LSM. As of now, the club features 3,000 members and 80 working professionals, as per ESPN.

Recently, the football legend also launched the Messi Cup, an under-16 age-group tournament featuring eight academy teams from around the globe, playing in Miami, with the aim of developing talent and fostering competition. In December, River Plate won the inaugural title, defeating Atletico Madrid in the title clash.

Messi concluded 2025 with his 'GOAT Tour' to India in December, a three-day tour from December 13 to 15, which took him to Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, marking his first visit to the country since 2011.

While the Kolkata leg of the tour ended in chaos at the Salt Lake Stadium, the other three pit stops of the tour created some unforgettable memories, as he met the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Indian cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar, Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri, the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah and Delhi CM Rekha Gupta in stadiums packed with passionate football fans.

Messi, at the age of 38, captured the most prestigious prize for his club, Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer, the MLS Cup, last year in December-start. He had an incredible season with the club, scoring a massive 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 matches. Even in the MLS Cup title clash, he did not score but was the ultimate playmaker with his assists in his side's 3-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

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