Lionel Messi purchases a Spanish club, a cradle for nurturing young talents.

Argentinian football legend Lionel Messi has officially become the new owner of UE Cornella, a club competing in Spain's fifth tier. The deal was announced on April 16, 2026, marking a notable step for the 38-year-old superstar in expanding his influence beyond the pitch.

According to Cornella's announcement, "the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi has completed the acquisition of the club." The Catalan club emphasized that this deal further strengthens Messi's deep connection with Barcelona and demonstrates his commitment to developing sports and nurturing young talents in the Catalonia region.

Messi left his homeland Argentina for Spain at the age of 13 and debuted for Barcelona's first team in October 2004 at 17. He experienced a glorious period with the Camp Nou-based club, where he won 4 Champions League titles and 10 La Liga championships, while setting a record of 672 goals in 778 matches.

After parting with the Catalan club in 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain, he moved to Inter Miami in 2023 and continued to prove his caliber by helping the American club win the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters' Shield, and the MLS Cup championship in the 2025 season.

Cornella Club, founded in 1951, owns a stadium with a capacity of approximately 1,500 seats and is currently competing for promotion in the Tercera RFEF. Although never playing above Spain's third tier, Cornella is renowned for its high-quality youth training system, having discovered and developed notable players such as Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and defender Jordi Alba—a former teammate of Messi at Barcelona and Inter Miami.

Cornella representatives affirmed that Messi's arrival opens a new chapter in the club's history, aiming to promote growth both professionally and organizationally. The development project will be built with a long-term vision, combining ambition, sustainability, and a strong connection with the local community.

Messi's deal also follows the trend of football legends investing in their own clubs, similar to Gerard Pique with FC Andorra or David Beckham with Inter Miami. Previously, Messi's great rival Cristiano Ronaldo purchased 25% of UD Almeria in February 2026.

Experts believe that with his global influence, extensive network, and top-level experience, Messi can certainly transform Cornella into an ambitious football project. Two development directions are outlined: either building the team through a sustainable youth training pathway, or accelerating investment to quickly climb the ranks in Spain's football system.