Lionel Messi completes takeover of UE Cornella in Spain's fifth tier | OneFootball

Lionel Messi has officially become owner of UE Cornella, a Spanish fifth-tier club on the outskirts of Barcelona, on Thursday. The 38-year-old joins the growing number of active footballers who own clubs.

The club said in a statement that the acquisition strengthens Messi’s close ties with Barcelona and his commitment to developing sport and local talent in Catalonia, links rooted in his years at Barcelona.

Founded in 1951, Cornella have spent recent seasons in the lower leagues, with a highest finish of the third tier in the 2013-2014 season.

The club’s pathway has featured several Spain internationals in their youth, including Jordi Alba, a former team-mate of Messi at Barcelona and Inter Miami, and Arsenal and Spain goalkeeper David Raya.

Cornella are currently third in group 5 of Spain’s fifth tier, a position that leads to play-offs for promotion to the fourth tier.

Source: L'Équipe