Messi creates new US investment firm

Lionel Messi launched an investment firm based here in the United States. The company, known as Play Time Sports-Tech HoldCo LLS, or just Play Time, plans to buy into media, sports and technology both Stateside and around the world.

“I am excited to extend our roots into Silicon Valley, and I am thrilled that Play Time will collaborate with daring entrepreneurs from all over the world,” Messi said in a statement released on Wednesday.

Play Time will invests in “stage agnostic” possibilities. This includes helping fresh startups construct soccer-related technology or even investing in clubs.

According to Bloomberg, Razmig Hovaghimian heads Play Time. Hovaghimian is currently a partner at venture capital firm Graph Ventures. The new company will also include Michael Marquez, also a founding partner of his own business Code Advisors LLC. Marquez is now a special advisor for Play Time.

Along with being a partner at Graph Ventures, Hovaghimian also a founder at Matchday.com. The new company has listed Play Time as their first investor and has plans to officially launch soon. There are suggestions that this means prior to the start of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. This business also has stake in the tech startup AC Momento.

In a vague statement on their website, Matchday describe themselves as “a place where fans rub shoulders with the world’s greatest players. Where you define your experience. Sharing joy and passion you can’t find anywhere else.”

Messi involved in new US investment firm

Hovaghimian also shared Messi’s excitement in the new partnership in a statement of his own. “From the time I met Leo and the Messi family in 2017, it was clear that their vision for the future is bold,” said Hovaghimian. “They want to continue to have a direct and lasting impact on and off the pitch.”

Announcing involvement with the investment firm is one thing. The statement did not include the quantity of money entering the firm.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo