Messi Prefers Owning Club Over Coaching Post-Retirement

Lionel Messi, the 38-year-old Argentina soccer star and Inter Miami forward, revealed in a recent interview that he envisions owning a club rather than coaching after he retires from playing, emphasizing a desire to build from the ground up and develop young talent.

Speaking to Argentine streaming channel Luzu TV in a December interview aired this week, Messi said he does not see himself on the sidelines as a coach. "I like the idea of being a manager, but I'd prefer to be an owner," he stated. "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, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, signed a three-year contract extension with Inter Miami in October, keeping him with the Major League Soccer club through the 2028 season, when he will be 41. His commitment to the team extends beyond playing; the deal includes a future minority ownership stake, allowing him to influence both sporting and commercial aspects. Apple, which holds MLS broadcast rights in a 10-year, $2.5 billion agreement, factored in...