Player, legend, owner: Lionel Messi Buys Catalan Club Cornella

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Barcelona: Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has become the new owner of Catalan club UE Cornella, the fifth-tier Spanish side announced.

The club said the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner had completed the acquisition, describing the move as a sign of Messi’s strong connection to Barcelona and his commitment to developing sport and local talent in Catalonia.

Messi, 38, currently plays for Inter Miami CF in the United States. During his glittering career with FC Barcelona, he won four Champions League titles and 10 La Liga crowns.

He joined Barcelona as a teenager after moving from Argentina at age 13 and made his first-team debut in 2004. Messi went on to score a club-record 672 goals in 778 appearances before leaving in 2021 for Paris Saint-Germain. He later joined Inter Miami in 2023.

Cornella, whose stadium has a capacity of 1,500, said Messi’s arrival marks the beginning of a new era focused on sporting and institutional growth, sustainability and youth development.

The club has previously produced players including David Raya and Jordi Alba.

Messi’s longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo also recently entered club ownership after buying a stake in UD Almeria earlier this year.