The Inter Miami star has purchased fifth-tier Spanish side UE Cornellà, marking his first venture into club ownership while still playing professionally.
Lionel Messi has completed the purchase of UE Cornellà, a fifth-tier Spanish football club located in Barcelona's metropolitan area. The acquisition represents the Argentine superstar's first foray into club ownership whilst still actively competing at the highest level with Inter Miami.
The move signals a strategic return to Catalonia for Messi, who spent 21 years at FC Barcelona before financial constraints forced his departure in 2021. Unable to engineer a playing return to the Camp Nou, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has instead established new roots in the region through ownership.
Unió Esportiva Cornellà compete in the Tercera Federación, the fifth tier of Spanish football. Founded in 1951, the club represents Cornellà de Llobregat, a municipality of 90,000 residents located just 10 kilometres from Barcelona's city centre.
Despite their current lower-league status, Cornellà have enjoyed moments in the national spotlight. The club's greatest achievement came in the 2020-21 Copa del Rey, when they eliminated Atlético Madrid in a stunning second-round upset.
The victory over Diego Simeone's side remains one of the competition's most memorable giant-killings. Cornellà's 1-0 triumph at their modest Nou Municipal stadium demonstrated the club's potential to punch above their weight.
The club's facilities include a 3,000-capacity stadium and an established youth academy that serves the densely populated Barcelona metropolitan area. Their proximity to Camp Nou has historically meant living in FC Barcelona's shadow, but has also provided access to a rich footballing ecosystem.
Cornellà's location offers several strategic advantages:
The timing of Messi's investment reveals careful strategic planning. At 36, the Inter Miami forward is preparing for life after retirement whilst maintaining his connection to Barcelona.
FC Barcelona's well-documented financial troubles prevented Messi's return as a player. President Joan Laporta admitted the club couldn't guarantee registration within La Liga's salary cap, leading to Messi's move to Miami via Paris Saint-Germain.
Through Cornellà, Messi secures his Catalan presence without the political and financial complications of Camp Nou. The investment allows him to build something from the ground up, free from the institutional pressures that defined his Barcelona playing career.
Spanish football regulations permit Messi to own Cornellà whilst playing abroad. Unlike La Liga and Segunda División, lower-tier Spanish football has more flexible ownership rules regarding active players.
The purchase positions Messi to develop his business acumen in familiar territory. Sources close to the deal suggest plans for:
Messi joins a growing trend of elite players transitioning into ownership whilst still active. The model has gained momentum as footballers recognise the value of building equity during their peak earning years.
Cristiano Ronaldo's purchase of Real Valladolid in 2018 established the template. The Portuguese star acquired a 51% stake in the then-Segunda División club for €30 million, demonstrating how active superstars could successfully manage ownership responsibilities.
Other notable player-owners include:
Lower-league Spanish clubs offer attractive entry points for player-investors. Cornellà's position in the fifth tier means lower acquisition costs whilst providing significant upside potential through promotion.
The Spanish football pyramid rewards successful ownership with exponential value increases. A club rising from Tercera Federación to Segunda División can see its valuation multiply tenfold, as demonstrated by recent success stories like CF Intercity and Antequera CF.
Messi's immediate focus remains on Inter Miami's 2024 MLS campaign, but Cornellà's future trajectory will depend on the infrastructure and investment plans he implements. The club's proximity to Barcelona positions it perfectly for a youth development model that could attract talent overlooked by larger academies.
For Spanish football observers and bettors, Cornellà immediately becomes a club to watch. Messi's involvement guarantees increased media attention, potential sponsorship deals, and the resources needed for promotion pushes.
The real test comes when Messi retires from playing. His hands-on involvement could transform Cornellà into a genuine force in Catalan football, creating a lasting legacy beyond his playing achievements. For now, the Barcelona boy has found his way home through an unexpected route.
Lionel Messi purchased UE Cornellà, a fifth-tier Spanish football club located in Barcelona's metropolitan area. The club competes in the Tercera Federación and is based in Cornellà de Llobregat.
FC Barcelona's financial troubles prevented Messi's return as a player due to La Liga salary cap restrictions. Purchasing UE Cornellà allows him to establish roots in Catalonia through ownership while avoiding the institutional pressures at Camp Nou.
UE Cornellà's greatest achievement was eliminating Atlético Madrid 1-0 in the 2020-21 Copa del Rey second round. This stunning upset remains one of the competition's most memorable giant-killings against a top-tier Spanish club.
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UE Cornellà is based in Cornellà de Llobregat, just 10 kilometres from Barcelona city centre. The club has a 3,000-capacity Nou Municipal stadium and an established youth academy serving the Barcelona metropolitan area.
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