Lionel Messi is set to play his final match for Argentina, but retirement from international football is unlikely to mark the end of his involvement in the sport.

Messi will make his 208th appearance for Argentina against Benin in Buenos Aires, after announcing his retirement from international football following the 2026 World Cup final defeat by Spain.

His club career with Inter Miami is expected to continue. His current contract runs until the end of the 2028 season, with the possibility of annual reviews.

Beyond playing, Messi is increasingly building a future as a football owner and businessman.

Building a football network

Messi bought Spanish fifth-tier club UE Cornella in April, with the club serving as a development base for young players.

Second-division Spanish side CD Eldense announced him as its new owner on 1 October, subject to approval from Spain’s sports council. The club has appointed former Villarreal manager Javi Calleja, with avoiding relegation the immediate target.

Messi closely follows Eldense’s matches and marked his first win as owner with an Instagram post saying “Aupa Deportivo”.

Around a dozen sponsors reportedly approached the club within days of his arrival, highlighting the commercial pull of his name.

In Uruguay, Messi and Luis Suarez founded Deportivo LSM in 2025, which earned promotion to the country’s third tier in its first season.

Messi also has a future stake in Inter Miami through his playing contract, although he is not planning to launch a separate franchise.

Investing in young players

Youth football remains another major focus for Messi.

His Messi Cup, an Under-16 tournament launched in 2025 with eight teams, has expanded to 16 teams this year. Clubs including Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Arsenal are taking part.

Messi surprised organisers at the first edition by attending every match rather than only the final.

His involvement also extends to his son’s matches, reflecting his continued interest in developing young players.

A growing business empire

Messi’s business interests stretch well beyond football. Forbes estimated his net worth at around $1.1 billion in June, with earnings of roughly $140 million over the previous year from football and business.

His best-known commercial partnership is his lifetime deal with Adidas, signed in 2017.

He also owns a stake in MiM Hotels, a collection of six boutique properties in Spain and Andorra operated by Melia.

In Rosario, his family business is involved in a residential development, while Messi is also a partner in restaurant chain El Club de la Milanesa, which plans to expand into Catalonia.

He has also partnered with Stanley on a multi-year mate drinkware collection.

Messi’s business empire was initially managed by his father, Jorge Messi, and has since expanded into areas including media, marketing, television production and commercial partnerships.

Despite his growing portfolio, Messi says he is still learning.

“Business is something that interests me. I would like to keep learning because I know nothing and I am just starting out,” he said at the America Business Forum in Miami last year.

With his playing career approaching its final stages, Messi appears to be preparing for a future in football that could see him move from the pitch to the owner’s box.