Argentine football legend and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi has officially acquired UE Cornella, a historic club based in Catalonia.
The announcement marks a significant step in Messi’s post-playing career deepening his ties to the region where he rose to global stardom.
UE Cornella founded in 1951, currently competes in the Tercera RFEF (the fifth tier of Spanish football). The club is renowned for its exceptional youth academy having produced top-tier talents such as Spain’s Euro-winning goalkeeper David Raya, Messi’s longtime teammate Jordi Alba, and Espanyol captain Javi Puado.
In a statement Messi emphasized his commitment to developing local sport and nurturing young players in the Baix Llobregat area. The project focuses on long-term sustainability and institutional growth aiming to turn the semi-professional side into a benchmark for training elite footballers.
The takeover comes at a crucial time for the team. UE Cornella is currently fighting for promotion to the Segunda RFEF sitting in third place in Group 5 with 55 points trailing league leaders Manresa and Badalona.
While Messi currently plays for Inter Miami in the United States, this investment signals his intention to remain a major figure in the Catalan sports landscape.
By acquiring a club with such a rich history of youth development, Messi is effectively giving back to the footballing community that shaped his own legendary career.
