Lionel Messi has finalised the acquisition of a Spanish lower-division club, strengthening his post-playing business interests while deepening his emotional connection to the country where he became a football legend with Barcelona.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner completed the purchase of UE Cornellà, a club competing in Spain’s third tier, according to reports citing the deal’s closure. The move comes as Messi continues to play for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, where he holds a future minority ownership stake.
The acquisition is viewed as a strategic step that reinforces Messi’s close ties to Catalonia and Spanish football. Cornellà, based near Barcelona, has a history of developing young talent, including former players who progressed to higher levels.
The purchase aligns with Messi’s growing portfolio of investments, which already includes stakes in Inter Miami and other ventures. It also echoes the path taken by his former Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham, who built a playing career before transitioning into club ownership.
While Messi remains focused on his playing days with Inter Miami — where he recently extended his contract — the Cornellà deal signals clear intentions for life after retirement. Insiders suggest the Argentine superstar aims to nurture grassroots talent and potentially elevate the club’s status in Spanish football.
