As Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo gear up for post-football life by investing heavily in tech startups, Mohamed Salah is charting a different course with traditional ventures and philanthropy.
While Messi and Ronaldo are diving into equity stakes in AI, health tech, and various startups, Salah is sticking to a more familiar playbook of commercial partnerships, real estate, and charitable work. This shift reflects a broader trend among elite athletes to build long-term wealth and financial security beyond their playing careers, moving from one-off endorsement fees to ownership stakes.
Messi, through his investment firm Play Time HoldCo, has backed companies like FieldAI, Fish Audio, and SuperAnnotate, along with sports-specific ventures such as the mobile game Matchday. He also holds stakes in the fantasy football platform Sorare and KRÜ Esports, further cementing his presence in the sports and tech crossover scene.
Ronaldo's investments are heavily concentrated in health technology, aligning with his personal brand focused on fitness and longevity. He's invested in the wearable fitness tracker Whoop and has deepened his partnership with Herbalife, investing in its subsidiary Pro2col and the AI-powered supplement company Bioniq, which will be integrated into Pro2col's platform.
In contrast, Salah's business interests, according to UK corporate filings, are focused on holding companies and real estate. His most prominent collaborations remain traditional endorsement deals with major brands and his philanthropic efforts through the Mohamed Salah Charitable Foundation.
Regardless of their chosen path, football's biggest stars are increasingly planning for their futures beyond the pitch. Whether through venture capital, health tech, or property, athletes are leveraging their influence to manage their wealth, with equity investments proving to be a significant strategic move in the modern sports landscape.
