By Ghazali Ibrahim
Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has taken a major step off the pitch after completing the acquisition of Spanish lower-division club UE Cornellà.
The deal, confirmed on Thursday, sees the Inter Miami captain take full ownership of the Catalonia-based side, marking his first major move into football club ownership.
UE Cornellà, a modest club located near Barcelona, competes in Spain’s lower tiers but is widely recognised for its strong youth development system, having produced players such as Jordi Alba and David Raya.
In a statement announcing the takeover, the club described Messi’s arrival as the beginning of a “new chapter,” aimed at strengthening its sporting structure and long-term institutional growth.
The acquisition is also seen as reinforcing Messi’s deep ties to the Catalonia region, where he spent more than two decades with FC Barcelona, establishing himself as one of the greatest players in the club’s history.
Reports indicate that the 38-year-old now owns 100 percent of the club, with plans focused on youth development, sustainability, and building a competitive project for future promotion.
Messi’s move follows a growing trend of elite players transitioning into club ownership, as they look to shape football beyond their playing careers. Despite the new role, he is expected to continue his professional career with Inter Miami CF in the United States.
The development has generated excitement among fans and stakeholders, with many viewing it as a strategic investment that could elevate the profile and ambitions of the Catalan club.
