In a candid revelation about his future, football icon Lionel Messi has outlined his vision for life after hanging up his boots. The Argentine superstar, currently dazzling fans for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS), has made it clear that a career in coaching is not on his horizon. Instead, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner sees himself taking a different path in the football world once his legendary playing days conclude.
Messi's Clear Stance on Coaching
During a recent and wide-ranging interview, Lionel Messi was asked about the common trajectory of great players moving into management. His response was unequivocal. "I don't see myself as a coach," Messi stated firmly. This declaration sets him apart from many of his peers and former rivals who have transitioned to the touchline, such as Pep Guardiola, Diego Simeone, and his longtime contemporary Xavi Hernandez.
Messi elaborated on his reasoning, suggesting that the immense pressure and daily demands of a manager's life do not align with his personal preferences for his post-playing career. The role of a head coach involves constant scrutiny, tactical preparation, and man-management—a suite of responsibilities the 36-year-old forward seems content to avoid.
The Owner's Box Beckons
So, what does the future hold for one of football's greatest ever players? Messi presented a compelling alternative. "I would prefer to be a club owner, to have a team," he revealed. This ambition points towards a strategic, behind-the-scenes role in football administration and investment.
This preference aligns with a growing trend among modern football legends who are leveraging their wealth and influence to invest in clubs. The idea of club ownership would allow Messi to stay deeply connected to the sport he loves, but from a boardroom perspective, shaping the direction and philosophy of an organization rather than its day-to-day training sessions.
While Messi did not specify any particular league or club as a target, his global brand and financial power make such a venture highly plausible. His current club, Inter Miami CF, is itself co-owned by another football legend, David Beckham, providing Messi with a close-up view of how a former player can successfully navigate club ownership.
Focus Remains on Playing for Inter Miami
It is crucial to note that these plans are strictly for the future. Messi was quick to emphasize that his primary focus remains squarely on his performance on the field for Inter Miami. Since his high-profile move to the United States in 2023, he has transformed the fortunes of the MLS franchise, leading them to their first-ever trophy—the Leagues Cup—shortly after his arrival.
His impact has been monumental, both in sporting terms and in skyrocketing the club's and the league's commercial profile. For now, the Argentine maestro is fully committed to delivering for his team and fans in Miami, continuing to showcase the magic that has defined his career for over two decades.
The interview offers a rare glimpse into the long-term thinking of a player often guarded about his private plans. It underscores a strategic mindset that has characterized his career moves in recent years, from his shock departure from Barcelona to his stint at Paris Saint-Germain and his landmark move to MLS.
Lionel Messi's post-retirement vision marks a potential new chapter in football's evolution, where its most celebrated stars transition from being the face on the poster to the signature on the cheque. While the world hopes his playing career continues for many more seasons, his ambition to become a club owner promises to keep him at the heart of the beautiful game long after the final whistle blows on his time as a player.
