Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi has enjoyed monumental success on the pitch — and now he’s looking to secure some wins in venture capital.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or award winner has launched a holding company that will target investments in sports, media, and technology.
Play Time Sports-Tech is based in California and will look to invest in “stage agnostic” opportunities, including helping soccer-focused tech startups get off the ground.
- Play Time will be run by Graph Ventures partner Razmig Hovaghimian.
- The firm has already invested in Matchday.com — a soccer-focused gaming venture.
- Play Time also holds a stake in soccer collectibles marketplace AC Momento.
Messi — who has rotated in and out of the No. 1 spot on Forbes’ list of highest-paid soccer players since 2014 with Cristiano Ronaldo — is the second-highest-paid player in the world for the 2022-23 season. Messi is expected to earn $110 million this season, including endorsements.
Last Go Round
When asked if the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar would be his last, Messi said, “Yes, definitely yes.” Qatar — whose population was roughly 3 million as of Oct. 14 — has sold 2.9 million tickets, per FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Qatar expects more than 1 million foreign visitors and thousands of domestic fans to attend.
![[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Dec 5, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; United States of America President Donald Trump, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney watch from the stands during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/USATSI_27745262_168416386_lowres-scaled.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
