# Lionel Messi's Last Match for Argentina

> Messi ends Argentina career with final friendly as he builds global business empire.
- Title: Lionel Messi's Last Match for Argentina · BBC Sport | Shortify
- Summary: Messi ends Argentina career with final friendly as he builds global business empire. Lionel Messi retires from Argentina national team after 208 appearances…
- Keywords: lionel messi, argentina, inter miami, ue cornella, cd eldense, messi cup, mi m hotels, forbes, adidas, el club de la milanesa, newell's old boys, javi calleja
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cwly3lpmyye9o
- Published: 2026-10-06T05:39:49.307+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: lionel messi, argentina, inter miami, ue cornella, cd eldense, messi cup, mi m hotels, forbes, adidas, el club de la milanesa, newell's old boys, javi calleja
## 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
## Key takeaway

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.