Barcelona: Lionel Messi has completed the acquisition of Spanish fifth-tier side UE Cornellà, with the Catalan club confirming on Thursday that the Argentine star is now its new owner.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains active on the field with Inter Miami CF and is also expected to play a central role in Argentina’s defence of their FIFA World Cup title later this year.
In a statement, Cornella said the move strengthens Messi’s long-standing ties to Catalonia and reflects his commitment to developing local talent and supporting the region’s football ecosystem.
Based in the Barcelona suburbs, the club has produced several notable players, including David Raya and Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba. However, the team has endured a difficult period, suffering consecutive relegations over the past two seasons.
Cornella described Messi’s arrival as the start of a new era, focused on both sporting progress and institutional growth. The club added that the project will be driven by a long-term vision emphasising ambition, sustainability, and strong local roots.
Messi, who rose through the famed La Masia academy at FC Barcelona, spent 17 seasons with the first team and remains the club’s all-time leading scorer with 672 goals. The 38-year-old has previously indicated his intention to return to live in Catalonia after retiring from professional football.
He is set to feature in his sixth FIFA World Cup when Argentina begin their title defence at the 2026 tournament in North America, opening against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas.
Meanwhile, Messi’s long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo recently made a move into club ownership, acquiring a 25 percent stake in Spanish side UD Almería.
