Lionel Messi has taken a decisive step deeper into football ownership, completing the acquisition of UE Cornellà, a historic Catalan side currently competing in Spain’s fifth tier, the Tercera RFEF.
The club, founded in 1951 and long regarded as a development hub for young talent in Catalonia, confirmed the deal on Thursday. Messi’s arrival signals the start of a new institutional phase, with ambitions to scale both competitively and structurally under a long-term strategic vision.
Cornellà, based in the Baix Llobregat region near Barcelona, has built a reputation for producing elite-level talent. Alumni include David Raya, now at Arsenal FC, as well as Jordi Alba and Keita Baldé. The club’s most notable competitive moment came during the Copa del Rey 2013–14, when it faced Real Madrid in the Round of 32.
In an official statement, Cornellà outlined a roadmap centered on sustainable growth, infrastructure development, and continued investment in youth development — an area closely aligned with Messi’s broader football vision.
This is not Messi’s first venture into club ownership. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner previously co-founded Deportivo LSM in Uruguay alongside Luis Suárez and is expected to take a future ownership role at Inter Miami CF after retirement. His commitment to youth development was also evident in the 2025 Messi Cup, which brought together elite academies from clubs such as FC Barcelona, Chelsea FC and Manchester City.
The Cornellà acquisition strengthens Messi’s growing footprint in football business, positioning him not just as a global icon on the pitch, but as an emerging architect in the game’s development ecosystem. With increased financial backing and global visibility, the Catalan side is now targeting progression through Spain’s league pyramid and a stronger role in European talent production.