Lionel Messi Crushes Coaching Rumors, Reveals Unexpected Post-Retirement Ambition After Argentina Farewell

Even as the sun has already set on his glorious international odyssey with Argentina, Lionel Messi’s masterful vision extends far beyond the final whistle. The Inter Miami talisman has already begun to orchestrate his next monumental chapter, laying the enduring foundations for a future that will forever intertwine his immortal legacy with the very soul of the beautiful game

The 39-year-old has already become involved in several projects off the pitch, suggesting where his ambitions lie. While retirement remains some distance away, his growing business portfolio and involvement with clubs suggest that his next chapter could look very different from the one many soccer legends choose.

Messi has reportedly considered several ways of remaining involved in soccer after retirement, including working as a sporting director or adviser. However, when asked whether he would rather become a coach or an owner, the Argentine made his preference clear.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner favors club ownership over coaching, as per BBC Sport, largely because he does not want the relentless pressure that comes with managing a team every week. He would rather influence a club’s direction from a broader position while remaining closely involved in important decisions.

 “The business world is something that interests me. I would like to keep learning because I don’t know anything and I am still at the start of the road”, he recently said at the America Business Forum. That approach fits with the projects Messi has already begun building. Rather than waiting until retirement to enter soccer ownership, he is gradually developing a portfolio that includes clubs in Spain and Uruguay.

Messi is already building his soccer empire

The clearest example is Cornella, a fifth-tier club based near Barcelona that Messi acquired in April. The project is designed around youth development, with the club serving as a potential pathway for young players to develop within a structured soccer environment.