Argentine football in deep financial crisis after Messi's departure

Bangla Press Desk: Lionel Messi has brought the curtain down on his illustrious international career with Argentina. In his 208th and final match for *La Albiceleste*, the legendary captain led his team to victory by contributing a goal and two assists.
Bidding farewell to the national team at the age of 39, Messi scored 126 goals for Argentina over a 21-year career. Under his leadership, the team won two Copa América titles and the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Beyond his on-field success, however, he also played a pivotal role in the economic rise of Argentine football.
Messi was a primary driving force behind the surge in the national team's global popularity and commercial value over the last decade. Leveraging his immense popularity, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has strengthened its brand worldwide. While the national team had only six sponsors in 2017, that number has now risen to over 100. According to various sources, the AFA's annual revenue has now reached approximately $150 million.
Leandro Petersen, the head of the AFA's commercial development department, acknowledged that Messi was an "extraordinary catalyst" for the rapid growth of the AFA brand. His global appeal opened doors for Argentina to enter markets where their presence had previously been minimal.
However, Argentine football now faces a new reality following Messi's departure. His presence was a major draw across broadcasting, sponsorships, ticket sales, the marketing of jerseys and merchandise, digital content, and the hosting of international friendlies. Consequently, analysts believe his exit could impact these sectors.
There is, however, some cause for relief for the AFA. Thanks to the team's recent successes, the organization has built a robust financial foundation. According to the Spanish media outlet 'AS', the AFA has earned approximately $121 million in bonuses from various international competitions since 2019. This includes $8 million for finishing third in the 2019 Copa América, $10 million for winning the 2021 Copa América, $52 million for winning the 2022 World Cup, $16 million for the 2024 Copa América, and $33 million for finishing as runners-up in the 2026 World Cup.
However, the biggest challenge ahead is maintaining this commercial strength without Messi. Despite having over 100 commercial partners, a strong international presence, and a massive global fan base, the AFA must now prove that Argentine football can remain just as economically robust even without its biggest star.
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