Lionel Messi Acquires Spanish Fifth-Tier Club UE Cornella as New Owner

Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has officially completed the purchase of Spanish fifth-tier club UE Cornella, marking his first venture into European club ownership.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who currently plays for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, has acquired 100 percent ownership of the Catalan club located on the outskirts of Barcelona . The club announced the acquisition on April 16, 2026, stating that Messi’s arrival “marks the beginning of a new chapter in the club’s history, aimed at driving both sporting and institutional growth, strengthening its foundations, and continuing to invest in talent” .

UE Cornella, founded in 1951, currently competes in Group 5 of the RFEF Third Division, the fifth tier of Spanish football . The club was relegated from the RFEF Second Division, the fourth tier, last season and is now seeking promotion back to the fourth level .

The club highlighted the significance of Messi’s investment in its official statement. “This move reinforces Messi’s close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalonia – a connection rooted in his years at FC Barcelona and sustained ever since,” the club said . The project is described as being guided by “a long-term vision and a strategic plan that combines ambition, sustainability, and a strong connection to its local roots” .

UE Cornella has a strong tradition of producing young talent. Players such as Messi’s former Barcelona and Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba came through the club’s ranks, along with Arsenal and Spain goalkeeper David Raya, Barcelona defender Gerard Martin, and Espanyol forward Javi Puado . The club is widely regarded as a benchmark for youth player development in Spanish semi-professional football .

The acquisition is not Messi’s first involvement in club ownership. He is already a partner of Uruguayan professional team Deportivo LSM alongside his former Barcelona and Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez . He also has ownership ties to Leones de Rosario, a club playing in the Primera C league in Argentina . Additionally, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has previously confirmed that Messi will become a shareholder of the MLS club after his retirement .

According to Argentinian newspaper Ole, Messi had long signalled his intention to become a club owner. In a 2025 interview, he stated, “I don’t see myself as a coach. I like being a manager, but I want to be an owner. I want to have my own club, start from the bottom, make it grow, and give young players the chance to develop and achieve great things” .

The move has drawn comparisons to his Inter Miami owner David Beckham, who transitioned from playing to club ownership after his retirement. Messi’s acquisition of UE Cornella is seen as a strategic step toward his post-playing career in football management .

The club currently plays its home matches at the Nou Municipal de Cornella, located approximately four miles from Barcelona’s famous Camp Nou . With promotion playoffs on the horizon this season, Messi’s ownership is expected to provide both financial backing and global visibility to the historic Catalan club.