Lionel Messi continues to expand his legacy beyond the pitch. This week, the Inter Miami and Argentina national team captain announced his new role as an investor in the restaurant chain El Club de la Milanesa, further solidifying his presence in the business world while also diving into one of his great passions: gastronomy.

The Argentine star joins the project with the goal of further elevating the “milanesa” — a traditional breaded meat filet from Argentine cuisine — as a culinary icon. The chain, which began in the Belgrano neighborhood of Buenos Aires, already boasts over 70 locations in Argentina, Uruguay, and the United States, and now plans to expand into Spain, Italy, Portugal, Chile, and Paraguay, with Miami—Messi’s new hometown since joining MLS—as its launching point.

In addition to this new venture, Messi has managed a hotel chain called MiM Hotels since 2017, in collaboration with the Majestic Hotel Group, with properties across Spain and Andorra.

A Performance That Stands Out... Even in MLS

Interestingly, the news of his business move coincided with an awkward football comparison for Real Madrid. In the Club World Cup round of 16, Inter Miami was eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in a heavy 4-0 defeat. Despite the result, Messi was the standout player for the American side, earning a 7.6 rating on SofaScore.

Days later, Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid suffered the same scoreline against the same opponent. But unlike Messi, no Madrid player earned even a 7.0 rating. Not even big names like Kylian Mbappé (6.8) or Fede Valverde managed to match Messi’s level of performance.

At 38, Messi Still Makes a Difference

The stat may seem symbolic, but it’s telling. At 38 years old, and playing in a league considered less competitive, Lionel Messi still displays individual brilliance that outshines an entire Real Madrid squad in one of their most important matches of the season. It’s a comparison that highlights not only the Argentine’s excellent form but also the urgent need for Madrid to rebuild.

While Madrid looks for answers after its elimination, Messi continues to shine — both on the pitch and in the business world. And now, he’s doing it with an Argentine flavor.