Lionel Messi names post-career plans in ‘appeal to me most’ statement
Sam Cooper Lionel Messi for Inter Miami
Lionel Messi says he has no plans to be a coach but instead hopes to start his own club once he eventually hangs up his boots.
One of the greatest players of all time is spending his final playing years out in the United States with David Beckham’s Inter Miami, but at 38, the question has been raised of how long he will keep going.
This summer’s World Cup is expected to be his last, and a recent contract extension has him playing club football until at least 2028, but even the player himself has started to think about what comes next.
While plenty of ex-pros go down the management or pundit route, Messi has rejected either of those options and instead hopes to follow in the footsteps of Beckham by starting his own club.
“I don’t see myself as a coach,” he told Luzu TV.
“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.”
Earlier, he told the American Business Forum that “little by little” he was starting to focus on life away from the pitch.
“I like to start looking at what could come next,” he said. “I like the business world; I want to keep learning. I’m just getting started with it.
“I’ve always been 100 per cent dedicated to my profession, but I know that something else is coming – another world – and little by little, I’m getting involved.”
MORE ON MESSI ON F365 *?Five reasons Cristiano Ronaldo has ‘offered’ himself to Inter Miami in Lionel Messi ‘dream’ *?Barcelona president makes ‘beautiful’ Messi return promise; Argentina star makes shock WC claim *?MLS chief tells Salah to contact Messi and discuss spectacular Liverpool exit route
As for whether he has any playing regrets, 12 league titles, four Champions Leagues, eight Ballons d’Or and crucially the World Cup leave Messi with nothing left to want.
“No, what could I still be missing? I was able to do everything,” he said.
“As I always say, God gave me much more than I ever imagined. And everything came at the right moment, because when it felt like it was already impossible, the trophies with the Argentina national team arrived, which was what I wanted the most and the only thing I was missing.
“The Copa America came (in 2021) and I said, ‘Well, at least I won something with the national team.’ And then Qatar happened.
“That’s why the gesture I made to my family after the final was basically saying, ‘That’s it.’ After that, we could all be at peace knowing we had done everything.
“Everything that comes from now on is a gift and I’m more than grateful for everything I’ve been able to live through and achieve.”
READ NEXT:?Arsenal star knocks Haaland off top of Premier League player power rankings
Soccer Lionel Messi
Related Articles
Joe Williams
Romano reveals possibility of Liverpool star Salah joining Messi at Inter Miami
Fabrizio Romano insists that Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has “no agreement with anyone” after claims he could link up with Lionel Messi.
Liverpool Lionel Messi Rob McCarthy
Joan Laporta namedrops Messi return to ‘unstoppable’ Barcelona after landslide election win
Winning just over 68% of the vote, the 63-year-old Laporta will begin his second-consecutive term – and fourth overall – from July 1, the Catalan giants announced on Sunday.
Barcelona Joan Laporta Lewis Oldham
Spain vs Argentina Finalissima off as two reasons why Messi rejected alternative ‘proposals’ revealed
The Finalissima between Spain and Argentina, which was scheduled on March 27 in Qatar, has been cancelled after alternative plans were rejected.
Soccer Argentina Joe Williams
Romano clarifies possiblity of Lionel Messi ‘playing again for Barcelona’ after Xavi comments
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed the possibility of Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi returning to Barcelona to play.
Barcelona Lionel Messi Joe Williams
Xavi reveals ‘green light’ for Lionel Messi return to Barcelona as Joan Laporta ‘lie’ is exposed
Argentina legend Lionel Messi was set to re-sign for Barcelona in January 2023 but Xavi reveals Joan Laporta “backed out on everything”.
Barcelona Lionel Messi Joe Williams
Barcelona ‘offer’ Messi chance to return as a player; weighs up two other bids to leave Miami
Lionel Messi has reportedly been offered the opportunity to leave Inter Miami and return to Barcelona as a player or in another role.
Barcelona Lionel Messi
Latest Football News
Tottenham player-manager one of seven interim ‘options’ to replace Igor Tudor
Ben Davies Harry Redknapp
Tottenham next manager timeframe revealed after Tudor exit as ‘Spurs man’ backed
Igor Tudor
Tottenham confirm Igor Tudor exit and tease ‘new Head Coach’
Igor Tudor Roberto De Zerbi
‘Not Harvard English’ – Toni Kroos confused by Geordie accent as brother Felix hails Newcastle ‘summer’
Toni Kroos
Hungary manager hits out at Arne Slot ‘nonsense’ after telling Liverpool boss ‘not to interfere’
Arne Slot Mailbox
Man Utd ‘in purgatory’ under Carrick as Klopp ‘logic’ dispels top replacement doubts
Michael Carrick
Carrick in or out? Man Utd would be stupid to rush manager decision
Michael Carrick Popular
Rashford, Foden, Gordon to Liverpool proposed as Salah debate rages on
Mohamed Salah Popular
Mo Salah is no Luis Suarez; the Liverpool fan verdict is in
Mohamed Salah Popular Premier League Table Full Table
#
TEAM
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
View More
Mediawatch
Arsenal star ‘called out’ as Spurs handed ‘huge boost’ and World Cup ‘nightmare’ emerges
Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal face summer ‘transfer conundrum’ as Mo Salah ‘dream club’ revealed
Mohamed Salah Popular
Salah exit prompts ‘genuine concern’ about Premier League as two Liverpool mysteries solved
Mo Salah Popular
Arsenal season starting to unravel as ‘injury crisis’ hits at ‘worst possible time’
Copyright Notice: The content of this article is contributed by Internet users. The views only represent the author. This site only provides information storage services and does not own ownership or bear relevant legal responsibilities. If you find any suspected infringement or illegal content, please contact us. We will delete it immediately after verification.