One of football’s greatest has made his post-retirement plan clear, and it is not on the touchline. In a fresh interview aired January 6 on Luzu TV’s “Roju”, Lionel Messi said he does not see himself as a coach. Instead, the 38-year-old wants to one day own a club, start small, and build something that lasts — especially for kids dreaming of a shot in the game.

“I don’t see myself as a coach. I like the idea of being a manager, but I’d prefer to be an owner. I’d like to have my own club, start from the bottom, and make it grow. To be able to give the kids the opportunity to develop and achieve something important. If I had to choose, that’s what would appeal to me most,” Messi said.

The message was simple and strong: he wants to build, not bark orders. And it fits the player he’s always been — a leader by example, not by theatrics.

From Playmaker to Owner: Messi’s Next Chapter

Many stars talk about coaching as the natural next step. Messi is different. He wants to shape a club’s culture and give young players a clear pathway. He wants to do it from the top, with the long view that owners and builders must take.

The timing matters. Messi’s contract with Inter Miami now runs until 2028, which would take him to age 41. He’s not close to hanging up his boots just yet. But he’s hinting at what comes next, and it’s rooted in growth, patience, and community.

“If Beckham did it in Miami, why can’t Messi build his own club somewhere and make it a talent factory?”

Beckham’s Blueprint, Miami’s Momentum

There’s a clear role model here: David Beckham. Messi’s current boss at Inter Miami turned a bold idea into a living, breathing MLS franchise. That story shows how a global superstar can plant deep roots and leave a lasting mark beyond medals and goals.

Messi sounds eager to keep shaping Inter Miami in the years ahead. On his extension and the club’s new stadium project, he said: “It brings me immense joy to stay here and continue with this project… can’t wait for it to be completed—to experience it from within our new home… It will be something incredibly special.”

And the calendar is already marked: Inter Miami’s 2026 MLS season opens February 21 against LAFC. A full year of storylines awaits — on the field with Miami, and on the world stage as Argentina aim to defend their crown.

Already Building: Deportivo LSM and the Messi Cup

Messi’s owner mindset isn’t just talk. He’s already taken concrete steps. In May 2025, he teamed up with longtime friend and strike partner Luis Suárez to support a project in Uruguay: Deportivo LSM (often shortened to Deportivo LS).

The club has grown fast. It now counts around 3,000 members, and employs about 80 full-time staff and professionals. It began in 2018 and currently competes in Uruguay’s fourth division. The vision is simple: give kids better coaching, safe spaces, and a ladder to climb.

Suárez described it this way: “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.”

For his part, Messi said, “I’m proud and happy that you chose me, so I hope to contribute everything I can to continue growing and, above all, to be by your side in this.”

“This is the most Messi thing ever: skip the touchline drama and build a pathway for kids.”

Youth First: Why Ownership Fits Messi

Messi’s words match the projects he’s already supporting. He’s not promising instant success stories. He’s promising a system where more kids can dream fairly. That’s the heart of his plan to own a club: start small, keep standards high, and open doors.

That’s where the Messi Cup comes in. The new Under-16 tournament put top academies in front of each other. River Plate won the first edition, beating Atletico Madrid in the final. It’s exactly the kind of stage that tests talent early and prepares them for the next step.

What It Means for MLS, Argentina, and Fans

For MLS, this is a win. Messi’s presence already lifts the league. If he later builds a club or expands his youth programs, it could pull more talent and more eyes into North and South American pathways. It adds fuel to a growing soccer ecosystem from Miami to Montevideo.

For Argentina, it means their captain’s influence keeps growing. He is chasing trophies today, and he’s building tomorrow’s players at the same time. That dual focus is rare.

“Owner Messi could be bigger than Player Messi. Imagine the academy kids that path would unlock.”

What’s Next: 2026 and Beyond

Short term, it’s business as usual for Inter Miami. The team kicks off against LAFC on February 21, and Messi’s focus is the pitch. He’ll also keep an eye on Argentina’s goals in the years ahead.

Long term, the roadmap is taking shape. An ownership role. A club that grows the right way. Youth tournaments that test and teach. These are bricks in a future that feels very Messi: calm, careful, and aimed at the next generation.

He may never pace a sideline with a clipboard. He may never bark out tactics in a press conference. But if Lionel Messi builds a club that turns dreams into careers, the impact could last far longer than any last-minute goal.

And if you’re wondering when this all officially starts? Maybe it already has.