Lionel Messi completes takeover of Spanish team Cornella

Lionel Messi completes takeover of Spanish team Cornella originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Lionel Messi has completed the takeover of Spanish lower-league side UE Cornella, the club have confirmed.

The 38-year-old, currently playing for Inter Miami CF, adds club ownership to a glittering career that includes four UEFA Champions League titles and 10 La Liga triumphs with FC Barcelona.

Cornella, who compete in Spain’s fifth tier, confirmed the move in a statement, saying: "eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Leo Messi has formalised the acquisition of the club."

They added: "This move reinforces Messi's close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalonia."

Messi moved to Spain from Argentina as a teenager, making his Barcelona debut at 17 in October 2004 before going on to score a club-record 672 goals in 778 appearances.

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He later joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, before moving to Inter Miami in 2023.

Cornella's modest 1,500-capacity stadium reflects their current standing in the Spanish football pyramid, though the club has produced notable talents including and .