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 he spent most of his career.
The Catalan club confirmed the acquisition in a statement, announcing that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had formalised the purchase, becoming the new owner of the Baix Llobregat institution.
Founded in 1951, Cornella has a history of competing in regional and lower leagues before achieving promotion to the Segunda Division B in the 2013-2014 season. 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 such as Jordi Alba, Gerard Martin and Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. The club highlighted Messi’s commitment to nurturing young talent, including initiatives like the Messi Cup, a tournament launched last December in Miami featuring top U16 teams globally.
The club added that Messi’s arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter aimed at driving both sporting and institutional growth, guided by a long-term vision combining ambition, sustainability and a strong connection to local roots.
Messi, now 38 and playing for Inter Miami, remains Barcelona’s record goalscorer with 672 goals in 778 appearances, winning 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions League trophies.
