In brief
Lionel Messi will play his 208th match for Argentina in a friendly against Benin, marking the end of his illustrious international career. He will remain in club football through a contract with Inter Miami until 2028, but his focus is shifting toward ownership, with stakes in CD Eldense, UE Cornella and potential future ventures in Miami. Beyond the pitch, Messi’s growing business empire includes a boutique hotel chain, a restaurant franchise, real‑estate investments, a lifetime Adidas deal and a commitment to youth football through the Messi Cup. Forbes estimates his net worth at about $1.1 billion, underscoring his success in both sport and commerce.
Lionel Messi’s final act for Argentina is set for a friendly against Benin at the Monumental in Buenos Aires, where he will play his 208th match and say goodbye to the national squad that he has led to record height.
The Argentine legend announced his retirement from international duty on 31 August, a full six weeks after Spain’s win over Argentina at the World Cup final, declaring that he had “nothing more to give.”
While he will stay in football – his contract with Inter Miami runs through the end of 2028 and is reviewed yearly – Messi is now concentrating on ownership, having become the owner of Spanish side CD Eldense and the fifth‑tier UE Cornella in April.
The former Barcelona star will play a strategic role, pitching in decisions and recruiting trusted managers, while he leads clubs that could ascend to La Liga and even branches into Miami where a share of Inter Miami is held upon retirement.
Outside the pitch, Messi’s business interests expand far beyond football: a boutique hotel chain (MiM Hotels), a restaurant franchise (El Club de la Milanesa), investment in real‑estate near Rosario, the Adidas lifelong partnership and a focus on youth football, including the Messi Cup where he sits as a patron.
With Forbes estimating a net worth of about $1.1 billion, Messi looks to keep growing his empire while bidding farewell to his nation and opening a new chapter as a football owner and entrepreneur.
