> At a Glance
> – Lionel Messi says he prefers owning a club over coaching when he retires
> – The 38-year-old has a contract with Inter Miami through 2028
> – He already co-owns Uruguay’s Deportivo LSM with Luis Suarez
> – Why it matters: Fans get a glimpse of Messi’s long-term future beyond his record-breaking MLS performances
Lionel Messi sees his post-playing days in the front office rather than on the sidelines. In a December interview aired Tuesday on Luzu TV, the Inter Miami star ruled out coaching and set his sights on building a club from the ground up.
No Interest in Coaching
“I don’t see myself as a coach,” Messi said. Management appeals to him, but ownership tops the list.
“If I had to decide for one of the three I would like to be an owner,” he explained. His vision: create a club, nurture young talent, and watch it rise through the ranks.
Ownership Experience
Messi already has skin in the game:
- Deportivo LSM in Uruguay’s fourth division
- Partnership with Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez
- More than 3,000 members since its 2018 founding
Luis Suarez noted last May:
> “Deportivo LS is a family dream that began in 2018. We have grown a lot with more than 3,000 members. I want to offer Uruguayan soccer… opportunities and tools for teenagers and children to grow.”
Miami Stay Through 2028
A three-year extension signed in October keeps Messi in South Florida through the 2028 season. The deal also grants him a minority stake in Inter Miami once he hangs up his boots.
Record-Setting 2024
Messi’s first full MLS campaign was historic:
| Award | Stat |
|---|---|
| MLS Golden Boot | 29 goals |
| Assists | 19 |
| Goal Contributions | 48 (1 shy of Vela’s 2019 record) |
| MVP | Back-to-back winner (first in MLS history) |
Key Takeaways
- Messi’s future lies in ownership, not coaching
- He aims to build a club from scratch and develop youth
- Already practicing with Deportivo LSM in Uruguay
- Will stay with Inter Miami as player and future co-owner through 2028
The Argentine legend is already planning his second act-this time in the boardroom rather than the dugout.
