Lionel Messi told his Argentina teammates that the 2026 World Cup final was his last game for the national team, ending a storied international career that spanned two decades. The announcement came after Argentina's run in the tournament, though the final result was not disclosed in the briefing. Messi's departure from the Albiceleste leaves a void, but his crypto ventures — including a $20 million partnership with fan token platform Socios — remain active parts of his business empire.
The $20M Socios Deal
Messi's deal with Socios, announced in 2022, was one of the largest athlete endorsements in the crypto space. The agreement made him a global ambassador for the fan token platform, which lets supporters buy tokens to vote on club decisions and access perks. Socios has since expanded its roster of partnerships, but Messi remained its highest-profile face. The deal is reportedly worth $20 million over several years, though exact terms have not been disclosed.
Crypto Ventures Beyond Socios
Beyond the Socios partnership, Messi has invested in several crypto projects. He launched his own NFT collection in 2022, collaborated with blockchain gaming platforms, and has been an active promoter of Web3 technologies. These ventures are part of a broader trend of athletes diversifying into digital assets, but Messi's involvement carries particular weight given his global fanbase. The timing of his national team retirement does not appear to affect these commitments.
With his international career over, Messi is expected to focus on his club football and business interests. The Socios deal runs through at least 2027, and his other crypto projects are structured as long-term investments. Whether he will launch new initiatives or double down on existing ones remains unclear. For now, the crypto world still has Messi's attention — even if the Argentina jersey is being hung up.
