Lionel Messi’s Argentina Farewell: What Comes Next?

Lionel Messi will play his 208th and last match for Argentina against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, 6 October 2026. FIFA

An Emotional Farewell at the Monumental

Lionel Messi announced his retirement on 31 August after Argentina lost to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.  Messi enters the Benin match with 207 appearances and 125 goals, for Argentina having made his senior debut in 2005.

His international career included Argentina’s 2022 World Cup and Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024. The farewell match gives supporters an opportunity to celebrate those achievements and his contribution across more than two decades. 

Inter Miami Career Continues

Messi’s Inter Miami contract still runs through the end of 2028, despite his departure from international football. 

According to Balagué, Messi assesses his situation year by year and could consider playing beyond that agreement if he remains physically and mentally ready. Any further extension remains a possibility rather than a confirmed decision. 

Spanish Clubs Form the Core of His Ownership Plans

Messi has already begun building his involvement in Spanish football away from playing. He acquired UE Cornellà in April, taking over a fifth-tier club with an established reputation for developing young players. Its academy has produced footballers who have progressed into the professional game, including at Barcelona. 

On 1 October, CD Eldense announced Messi’s acquisition of the club, with the transaction still subject to approval from Spain’s Higher Sports Council, the CSD. The second-division side represents his move into ownership at the professional level in Spain. 

Eldense’s immediate sporting challenge is to secure their place in the division. Javi Calleja, whose previous managerial roles include Villarreal, was appointed in September as the club sought to improve a difficult start to the season. 

The longer-term ambition, according to Balagué, is to establish Eldense in La Liga. For now, trusted representatives are expected to oversee Messi’s Spanish clubs while he continues playing, allowing him to remain involved without managing their daily operations himself. 

Ownership Appeals More Than Coaching

Messi has indicated that owning a club appeals to him more than becoming a coach. Balagué reports that he wants to influence a club’s wider direction rather than take on the demands of day-to-day team management. His interest, however, extends beyond simply appointing a manager and leaving decisions to others. 

His ownership interests also reach Uruguay. Messi and Luis Suárez founded Deportivo LSM in May 2025, with the club earning promotion to the country’s third tier in its first season. He is also expected to receive a stake in Inter Miami after retiring, giving him another route to remain involved in football. 

A Newell’s Return Is Not an Active Plan

A return to Newell’s Old Boys, where Messi played as a child in Rosario, remains an appealing possibility for supporters. However, Balagué reports that the idea has not been formally discussed and that those close to Messi do not currently expect it to happen.

For now, the distinction is clear: Messi is preparing to leave Argentina’s national team, not football itself. His Inter Miami career continues, while his investments in clubs are creating a role in the game that could last well beyond his final appearance as a player. FIFA