From BBC Sport · · 2m
Lionel Messi's Last Match for Argentina
Messi ends Argentina career with final friendly as he builds global business empire.
In brief
Messi ends Argentina career with final friendly as he builds global business empire. Lionel Messi retires from Argentina national team after 208 appearances, planning to stay in football while expanding business interests through club ownership and youth tournaments. Originally reported by BBC Sport.
Messi's final Argentina match
Lionel Messi will play his last match for Argentina in a friendly against Benin on Tuesday at the Monumental in Buenos Aires.
“Lionel Messi is about to play his last match for Argentina.”
Retirement announcement
Messi announced his retirement from the national team on 31 August, six weeks after the World Cup final defeat by Spain, saying he had nothing more to give.
“he had nothing more to give”
Coach Scaloni's view
Coach Lionel Scaloni states that if Messi ever wants to continue, he can, and there is no embarrassment in changing one's mind.
“there is no embarrassment in changing one's mind”
Club career continues
Messi's Inter Miami contract runs to the end of the 2028 season, but it is reviewed year by year and he may renew it.
“the contract with Inter Miami runs to the end of the 2028 season”
Business interests expand
Messi has built a business empire including MiM Hotels, a restaurant chain, and youth football tournaments.
“Forbes put his net worth at about $1.1bn”
Club ownership plans
Messi bought UE Cornella in April and will lead his football operation through CD Eldense, a second division club.
“CD Eldense, in the second division, announced Messi as its new owner on 1 October”
First club ownership move
Messi sent an Instagram post after Eldense beat Real Oviedo 4-1, saying 'Aupa Deportivo'.
“Aupa Deportivo”
Sponsorships and deals
Over a dozen sponsors approached Messi within days of his retirement announcement, some of whom had previously talked to the previous owners.
“Around a dozen sponsors came forward within a couple of days”
Youth football focus
Messi runs the Messi Cup for Under-16 academies, attending every match this year with 16 teams.
“he sat through every match on every day”
Business empire details
Messi's business includes MiM Hotels, a restaurant chain, and partnerships with Stanley and El Club de la Milanesa.
“MiM Hotels, six boutique properties from Ibiza to Andorra”
Family business legacy
Messi's father, Jorge, managed his affairs from the start, leading to early tax issues in Spain.
“Jorge Messi, who died in August aged 68”
Future plans
Messi plans to stay in football while expanding his business empire through club ownership and youth football.
“Business is something that interests me. I would like to keep learning because I know nothing and I am just starting out”
Here's the gist
Lionel Messi retires from Argentina national team after 208 appearances, planning to stay in football while expanding business interests through club ownership and youth tournaments.
