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Published 14:04 7 Oct 2026 BST
Updated 14:06 7 Oct 2026 BST

Lionel Messi has emerged as a leading candidate for a new role following his Argentina retirement, and has made his feeling abundantly clear already.
Messi gave his farewells to an emotional stadium on Tuesday night, as his Argentina side saw off Benin 3-0 in a Buenos Aires friendly. The 2022 World Cup champion made 208 appearances for his nation, scoring a whopping 126 goals in the process, with his final one coming last night.
Away from the international team, Messi is currently contracted to Inter Miami until the finish of the 2028 season, whilst also owning Spanish second-tier side Eldense.
Aside from this though, Messi has also become a surprise favourite for a completely new role: the head coach of Argentina by 2035.
William Hill currently have Messi at 4/1 to become the head coach of his nation by this date, with Lionel Scaloni's contract expiring at the end of this year.
Messi himself has been quizzed on the prospect of becoming a manager before, with the legendary player saying to Argentine streaming outlet Luzu TV: "I don't see myself as a coach. I like the idea of being a manager," he said. "But I'd prefer to be an owner. I'd like to have my own club, start from the bottom and make it grow. To be able to give the kids the opportunity to develop and achieve something important.
"If I had to choose, that's what would appeal to me the most."
Messi also spoke to Fabrizio Romano in 2024 on the idea: "I'm not planning to become a manager when I will retire. That's not something I'm considering to do."
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