Lionel Messi becomes new owner of Spanish third-tier club in Barcelona | OneFootball

Lionel Messi has become the sole owner of Spanish third-tier club Cornella, acquiring 100 per cent of the team based in the south-west of Barcelona, the city where the football legend forged his illustrious 17-year senior career.

The Catalan club confirmed the acquisition in a statement, announcing: "UE Cornella announces that Argentinian footballer and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Leo Messi has formalized the acquisition of the club, becoming the new owner of the Baix Llobregat institution."

This move, they added, "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."

Founded in 1951, Cornella has a rich history, competing in regional and lower leagues before achieving promotion to the Segunda Division B in the 2013-2014 season.

open image in gallery

Lionel Messi was a hero at Barcelona and now the Argentina great has bought Catalan club Cornella (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Archive)

The club famously caused a major upset in the 2021 Copa del Rey, beating Atletico Madrid, before being narrowly eliminated by Barcelona in the subsequent round after extra time.

Cornella has also been a breeding ground for talent, producing players who have gone on to successful professional careers, including Jordi Alba – Messi’s former teammate at Barcelona and Inter Miami – current Barcelona defender Gerard Martin, and Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

The club further highlighted Messi’s dedication to nurturing young talent, stating: "Messi’s commitment to young talent is also reflected in the club’s strong youth structure, with teams competing in the top youth categories at both national and regional levels." This commitment extends to initiatives like the Messi Cup, a tournament launched last December in Miami featuring top U16 teams globally.

"Leo 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," the club concluded. "The project is guided by a long-term vision and a strategic plan that combines ambition, sustainability, and a strong connection to its local roots."

Messi, now 38 and playing for Inter Miami in the MLS, remains Barcelona’s record goalscorer, having netted 672 goals in 778 appearances, securing 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions League trophies during his time at the Camp Nou.