Inter Miami CF captain Lionel Messi has expressed that he doesn’t envision himself taking on a coaching role in the future. Instead, he is more interested in the idea of owning and developing his own soccer club after hanging up his boots.
“I don’t see myself as a coach,” Messi mentioned in a recent interview with Luzu TV, an Argentine streaming platform that aired on Tuesday. “I like the idea of being a manager, but I’d prefer to own a club. I’d love to start from the bottom and grow it. I want to provide opportunities for kids to develop and achieve something significant. If I had to choose, that’s what excites me the most.”
Messi has recently signed a contract extension with Inter Miami that will keep him on the field through the 2028 MLS season. However, he is already exploring ownership opportunities by collaborating with his longtime teammate Luis Suárez to establish Deportivo LSM, a team in the Uruguayan fourth division. The name represents both players and the club currently has about 80 active professionals and 3,000 members.
“Deportivo LS is a family dream that started in 2018, and we’ve grown significantly with over 3,000 members,” Suárez shared. “I want to provide opportunities and resources to young players in Uruguayan soccer, the place I cherish and where I grew up.”
Suárez originally initiated the project before inviting Messi to join in.
“I’m proud and happy that you chose me, and I hope I can contribute all I can to continue the growth, and above all, to be by your side in this endeavor,” Messi remarked during the announcement.
Additively, Messi has launched the Messi Cup, an under-16 youth tournament that brought together eight academy teams from around the world in Miami, aiming to nurture talent and foster competition.
River Plate claimed victory in the inaugural Messi Cup held in December, overcoming Atlético Madrid in the final. For now, Messi remains focused on his role as a player with the defending MLS Cup champions Inter Miami, who will kick off the 2026 campaign on February 21 against LAFC.