Not even 24 hours after announcing his retirement from the Argentina national team, the first reports about Messi’s future beyond football are already beginning to emerge – an eventuality that, of course, now feels closer than ever. For now, though, Messi is still dominating MLS. In his latest game, he scored four goals in the win over Montréal Impact, and he has extended his contract with Inter Miami until December 2028. Unless he retires earlier, he will remain in the United States until he is 41. There is something else already on the calendar. On 23 October, Messi will receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Sport at the annual ceremony at the Teatro Campoamor in Oviedo.
For now, Messi’s priority remains winning with Inter Miami. He also wants to help drive MLS’s commercial growth and increase the league’s market value. When his playing career comes to an end, Inter Miami will reward him with an ownership stake. His contract includes a clause guaranteeing him a share of the franchise. It is a pioneering arrangement, similar to the one David Beckham had during his time with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Once his time in the United States is over, the Messi family is expected to return to Spain. According to Spanish newspaper ABC, Leo intends to settle permanently in Barcelona, the city where he grew up and became a footballer, and where he still has a home in Castelldefels. Catalonia is where Messi wants to raise his children, and where he plans to concentrate his various business interests once his playing career is over.
That return is also closely linked to his recent investment in Unió Esportiva Cornellà. With around €2 million, the Argentine acquired the Sociedad Anónima Deportiva of the small Baix Llobregat club, currently playing in Tercera RFEF, the fifth tier of Spanish football. Cornellà, somewhat remarkably, are based just a few metres from the RCDE Stadium, home of Espanyol, Barcelona’s second club. The project goes beyond a financial investment. Cornellà are known for their work with young players and have, over the years, helped several footballers reach the highest level, among them Jordi Alba, Raya and Puado. Messi wants to bring his focus on youth football to the club, building on initiatives such as the Messi Cup in Miami. The aim is to turn Cornellà into an important centre for developing local talent. When the time comes to retire from playing for good, Messi does not seem interested in becoming a coach. He has already ruled that out publicly. A full-time role in the business side of sport and entertainment looks more likely.
Then there is everything Messi has built away from football. His investments cover several areas, including real estate and hospitality. His MiM Hotels chain has luxury properties in some of Spain’s best-known tourist destinations, including Ibiza, Mallorca, Baqueira Beret, Sitges, Marbella and Andorra. He has a significant presence in fashion, too, through the international expansion of The Messi Store, his high-end casualwear brand, which is run by his sister María Sol Messi. There is also 525 Rosario, Messi’s audiovisual production company, which produces documentaries, series and family entertainment formats for an international audience. After professional football, Messi’s life will remain tied to sport, entertainment and business. Youth development will be part of it, as will the management of the many ventures he has built over the years. Barcelona will be the base.