In section CEO World

Lionel Messi Pivots From Pitch to Portfolio

As Lionel Messi steps away from Argentina’s national squad, the global icon is already deep into his second act. While fans process the end of his storied international career, the forward is quietly scaling Play Time HoldCo, a venture capital firm with a portfolio increasingly resembling a major Silicon Valley player.

Lionel Messi Pivots From Pitch to Portfolio

Launched in October 2022 alongside Viki founder Razmig Hovaghimian, the fund initially targeted $200 million to secure stakes in high-growth tech sectors. The firm’s current reach spans AI ventures including World Labs, Field AI, Fish Audio, Perceptron, and SuperAnnotate. These moves mark a departure from traditional athlete endorsements toward direct equity ownership.

Beyond software, Messi maintains interests in fantasy football platform Sorare and co-owns KRÜ Esports with Sergio Agüero. His 2023 arrival at Inter Miami further solidified his business footprint, with that club now commanding a $1.45 billion valuation. According to Kamraan Khan of Archers Valuation and Advisory, this transition signals a strategic shift among elite athletes who are prioritizing long-term wealth creation over short-term sponsorship deals. For Messi, the final whistle on the field simply marks the start of a new, aggressive investment phase.

Share:on TelegramXFacebook

Subscribe to our newsletter

Once a week — the best stories from our editors, no ads or push notifications. Delivered Sunday morning.

Comments (0)

Leave a comment

No comments yet. Be the first!