Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has taken a significant step off the pitch by becoming the new owner of UE Cornella, marking a fresh chapter in his illustrious career.
The 38-year-old icon, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, enjoyed extraordinary success with FC Barcelona, winning four UEFA Champions League titles and ten La Liga trophies during his time at the club.
Messi currently plays for Inter Miami CF in the United States.
Cornella confirmed the takeover, announcing that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has finalised the acquisition of the club, which competes in the fifth tier of Spanish football.
“Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Leo Messi has formalised the acquisition of the club,” the club said in a statement. The move highlights Messi’s long-standing connection to Catalonia and his focus on supporting grassroots football and nurturing young talent.
Messi moved from Argentina to Spain at the age of 13 and made his senior debut for Barcelona in October 2004 at just 17 years old. He went on to score a record 672 goals in 778 appearances before leaving for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, and later joining Inter Miami in 2023.
Interestingly, his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo recently made a similar move by acquiring a stake in UD Almería.
Cornella, whose modest stadium holds around 1,500 spectators, has previously developed players such as David Raya and Jordi Alba.
The club described Messi’s arrival as the beginning of a long-term project focused on sustainable growth, sporting ambition, and strengthening its local roots.
