Lionel Messi becomes new owner of Spanish third-tier club in Barcelona

Lionel Messi was a hero at Barcelona and now the Argentina great has bought Catalan club Cornella (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Archive)

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 who have gone on to successful professional careers, including Jordi Alba – Messi’s former teammate at Barcelona and Inter Miami – current Barcelona defender Gerard Martin, and Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

The club further highlighted Messi’s dedication to nurturing young talent, stating: "Messi’s commitment to young talent is also reflected in the club’s strong youth structure, with teams competing in the top youth categories at both national and regional levels." This commitment extends to initiatives like the Messi Cup, a tournament launched last December in Miami featuring top U16 teams globally.

"Leo Messi’s arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter in the club’s history, aimed at driving both sporting and institutional growth, strengthening its foundations, and continuing to invest in talent," the club concluded. "The project is guided by a long-term vision and a strategic plan that combines ambition, sustainability, and a strong connection to its local roots."

Messi, now 38 and playing for Inter Miami in the MLS, remains Barcelona’s record goalscorer, having netted 672 goals in 778 appearances, securing 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions League trophies during his time at the Camp Nou.