Lionel Messi buys Catalan soccer franchise UE Cornella

Q: Why did Lionel Messi buy UE Cornella?

Lionel Messi purchased UE Cornella to reinforce his ties to Barcelona and support local talent development in Catalonia.

Q: What league does UE Cornella play in?

UE Cornella competes in Spain's Tercera Federacion, which is the fifth tier of the Spanish soccer league system.

Q: Who are some notable players associated with UE Cornella?

Notable players who have played for UE Cornella include Jordi Alba, David Raya, and Javi Puado.

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi purchased UE Cornella, a fifth-tier Catalonia-based club. Photo by Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA-EFE

April 16 (UPI) -- Argentine soccer icon Lionel Messi purchased UE Cornella of Spain's Tercera Federacion, the fifth-tier Catalonia-based franchise announced Thursday. Terms were not announced.

"This move reinforces Messi's close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalonia -- a connection rooted in his years at FC Barcelona and sustained ever since," Cornella said in a news release.

Jordi Alba, one of Messi's former teammates at Inter Miami and Barcelona, goalie David Raya, Javi Puado, Keita Balde, Aitor Ruibal and Ilie Sanchez are among the players who have played for Cornella.

"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," Cornella said.