Messi Retires From Argentina, but His Venture Capital Career Is Just Heating Up

Lionel Messi’s announcement this week that he is retiring from Argentina’s national team closes the book on one of the most decorated careers in international football history. But while fans process the end of his playing days on the world stage, a separate report reveals the Argentine icon has spent years quietly building a second career far from the pitch: venture capital.

A Silicon Valley-Style Portfolio

According to a Wired report, Messi co-founded the investment fund Play Time HoldCo in October 2022 alongside Razmig Hovaghimian, the entrepreneur behind streaming platform Viki. The fund launched with an initial target of roughly $200 million and has since assembled a portfolio resembling that of a traditional Silicon Valley venture firm. Holdings reportedly include stakes in artificial intelligence companies such as World Labs and Field AI, along with investments in Fish Audio, Perceptron, Intangible, and SuperAnnotate.

Beyond AI: Sports and Gaming Investments

Messi’s investment interests extend past technology startups. He holds equity in fantasy football platform Sorare and joined the ownership group of KRÜ Esports alongside former Argentina teammate Sergio Agüero. He also secured an ownership stake in Inter Miami as part of his 2023 move to the club, which is now valued at $1.45 billion.

Industry observers see the pattern as part of a broader trend among elite athletes. A partner at Archers Valuation and Advisory noted that athletes are increasingly shifting from traditional sponsorship deals toward equity stakes and startup investments, framing it as a strategy for long-term wealth creation beyond their playing years.

For Messi, retirement from international football may mark an ending — but in the world of investing, his second half appears to be just getting started.