By Marina Azzara, Regional Director for the Americas 

In Argentina, Leo Messi is much more than a football player. He is part of our national identity. His talent, his effort and his long career have made him one of the greatest players in football history. 

With Leo Messi announcing his retirement from the national team, many people are reflecting on his career and on what made him different. But there is also another important point: not every football player can become Leo Messi. 

Some players reach the biggest leagues. Others have successful careers in smaller clubs. Some remain in the middle, and others do not manage to become professional players at all. This does not always depend only on their talent or effort. It can also depend on the opportunities they receive, the club where they start, their coaches, their country, the moment in history and, sometimes, luck. 

The same happens with SMEs. 

We often look at the biggest corporations and multinationals and ask ourselves: What did they have that other companies did not? Was it their strategy, their talent, their access to financing, their country or simply… good timing? 

The reality is that not every SME has the possibility, or even the need, to become a large multinational corporation. Some businesses are created to serve a local market. Others have a very specific product or service. Some companies may have the ambition to grow internationally, but they do not have the resources or the support to make that step. 

This does not mean that they are not successful. 

In football, success is not only about winning the World Cup. A player can have a valuable and respected career without becoming Leo Messi. In the same way, an SME does not need to become a global giant to be successful. It may be enough to become stronger, more professional, create jobs, serve its customers well and reach new markets. 

However, there are also many SMEs with a good product, committed people and real international potential. What they may lack is not ambition, but the right support. 

Internationalisation is a team effort 

A football player does not reach the highest level completely alone. Behind the players there are coaches, teammates, doctors, trainers, managers and a club that provides the necessary structure. 

The same applies to an SME that wants to internationalise. 

Selling to customers in other countries is not only about having a good product. The company also needs: 

• Working capital 

• Knowledge of foreign markets 

• Reliable payment systems 

• Risk management 

• Good administration and processes 

• The ability to wait for payment without stopping its own operations 

For many SMEs, cash flow is one of the main obstacles to growth. A company may have made an international sale, but it still must wait weeks or months to receive the payment. During that time, it must continue paying employees, suppliers, transport costs and other expenses. 

This is where financial support can make a real difference. 

The role of FCI 

When an SME decides to enter international markets, it should not have to play the match alone. 

Through the FCI network and international factoring, companies can receive support to manage some of the difficulties connected with cross-border trade. Factoring can help companies obtain liquidity from their receivables, reduce the risks related to international customers and continue growing while waiting for payment. 

This does not turn every SME into a multinational overnight. It is not a magic solution, and it does not remove every risk. 

But it can provide some of the infrastructure that a growing company needs: 

• Liquidity: The company can access funds linked to its invoices and continue operating. 

• Risk reduction: The company can receive support in evaluating and managing foreign buyers. 

• Confidence: Entering a new market becomes less uncertain when there is a professional financial partner. 

• Growth capacity: The SME can use its available resources to produce more, sell more and explore new markets. 

• Professionalisation: International business encourages companies to improve their processes and operate with greater transparency and discipline. 

The right league for every company 

We should not expect every SME to become a “Leo Messi” of business. That is neither realistic nor necessary. 

But we should also not assume that international growth is only possible for very large companies. 

There are different leagues, different opportunities and different ways to succeed. Some SMEs may become global companies. Others may export occasionally or serve one foreign market. Others may decide that their best future is to remain strong in their local market. 

The important thing is that each company understands its possibilities and has access to the tools that can help it move forward. 

For SMEs with international potential, the right support, financing and partnerships can make the difference between having a good opportunity and being able to take advantage of it. 

Leo Messi had exceptional talent, but he also had teammates, coaches, clubs and the right environment around him. Businesses are not so different. Sometimes success depends on talent and effort. Sometimes on timing, opportunity and luck. But very often, it also depends on having the right team. 

And when an SME is ready to play in a bigger market, FCI can help provide part of that team.