Lionel Messi Deepens Commitment to Youth Football with Expanded Messi Cup
Lionel Messi continues to display an intense devotion to the sport’s next generation through the steady growth of the Messi Cup. Demonstrating that youth football sits at the core of his personal priorities alongside club ownership aspirations, Messi invests both his financial resources and personal time into the tournament. Dedicated to Under-16 academies, the competition initially launched in 2025 with eight competing squads. During its inaugural edition, organizers anticipated Messi might only attend one or two fixtures or perhaps simply make an appearance at the final; however, he surprised attendees by watching every single match throughout the entire tournament schedule.
For the upcoming edition beginning October 25 at Inter Miami’s training facilities in Florida, the tournament field has expanded significantly, doubling its roster to 16 prestigious academy teams. Among the contenders is Newell’s Old Boys, ensuring a close emotional tie to Messi’s formative childhood club in Argentina. They will compete alongside elite international youth setups from European giants including Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Arsenal, and UE Cornella, among others. Messi’s regular attendance at his sons’ matches and his hands-on presence at the tournament underscore his commitment to fostering top-tier youth development.
An Expanding Billion-Dollar Commercial Empire Off the Pitch
Away from the competitive arena, Messi has constructed a sprawling commercial footprint. The scale of his business endeavors helps explain why Forbes estimated his net worth at roughly $1.1 billion in June, buoyed by annual earnings reaching approximately $140 million split between his playing contracts and diverse off-pitch enterprises. While his most recognizable commercial partnership remains the lifetime endorsement agreement inked with Adidas in 2017, his private holdings venture deep into premium hospitality, property development, dining, and retail.
The centerpiece of his commercial operations is MiM Hotels, a brand derived from the names of Messi and the Majestic hotel group. The portfolio features six boutique properties situated in premier tourist destinations ranging from Ibiza to Andorra. Under a rental agreement active since November 1, 2025, hospitality giant Melia manages the portfolio, operating the luxury locations under its Melia Collection banner. Messi’s investments also extend into residential real estate in his hometown of Rosario, where his family firm backs Carrasco M—a riverfront development of 24 homes situated along the Parana river, with fellow Argentine international Ángel Di María’s property agency overseeing sales.
Jose Mourinho Reportedly Skips Press Conference Fearing Suspension if He Speaks Mind
Further diversifying his holdings, Messi operates as a partner in the popular restaurant chain El Club de la Milanesa, which is actively planning five regional locations across Catalonia, beginning with an opening in Castelldefels. Additionally, Messi collaborated on an exclusive mate drinkware collection with drinkware manufacturer Stanley, marking the company’s inaugural multi-year partnership with an individual athlete, an initiative in which he contributed input on design materials and color palettes.
Family Foundations and a Selective Executive Strategy
The framework of Messi’s business empire originated under the guidance of his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away in August at the age of 68. Jorge oversaw his son’s financial and professional trajectory from the very beginning, navigating challenging periods that included early tax authority scrutiny in Spain before building a sophisticated business structure. Prior to Jorge falling seriously ill, the family company had successfully diversified into established divisions handling television production, marketing, multimedia, and global commercial partnerships.
Today, Messi relies on a tightly knit cadre of trusted executives to steer these operations, several of whom have supported him since his earliest playing years at FC Barcelona. The organization employs a rigorous vetting process, ensuring that the Argentine superstar is only presented with opportunities aligned with his personal comfort and standards. Addressing his growing commercial appetite during the America Business Forum in Miami last November, Messi provided rare insight into his corporate mindset, explaining: Business is something that interests me. I would like to keep learning because I know nothing and I am just starting out.
Why This Matters
Lionel Messi’s simultaneous investments in international grassroots soccer and high-yield asset classes illustrate a modern blueprint for elite athletes transitioning toward long-term institutional influence. By staging the expanded Messi Cup in South Florida, Messi is solidifying Miami as an emerging hub for international youth soccer scouting while maintaining active ties with historic clubs across Europe and South America. Meanwhile, his diversified business ecosystem—ranging from European hospitality partnerships with Melia to South American luxury real estate—secures an enduring global presence that operates independently of his on-field career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Messi Cup and which teams are participating?
The Messi Cup is an Under-16 academy soccer tournament organized with Lionel Messi’s direct support, hosted at Inter Miami’s facilities in Florida beginning October 25. The tournament features 16 teams, including Messi’s boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys, alongside major international academies such as Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and UE Cornella.
What major businesses and investments does Lionel Messi own?
Messi’s business holdings include MiM Hotels (six boutique properties managed by Melia under the Melia Collection), the Carrasco M luxury residential development in Rosario, partnerships in the restaurant chain El Club de la Milanesa, a multi-year branded product collaboration with Stanley, and a lifetime endorsement contract with Adidas, alongside operations in media, marketing, and television production.
Who manages Lionel Messi’s business empire?
Originally structured by his late father, Jorge Messi, the business enterprise is run by trusted associates who have worked alongside Messi since his early days at FC Barcelona. This inner circle filters all potential opportunities, allowing Messi to choose and engage only in ventures he supports comfortably.
