Lionel Messi Buys Spanish Lower League Club

The Argentine soccer star has acquired 100% ownership of UE Cornella, a fifth-tier club near Barcelona.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:07am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes in shades of blue, red, and yellow, conceptually representing the multifaceted nature of Messi's investment in a lower-league soccer club.Messi's acquisition of a lower-league Spanish club signals his ambitions to invest in soccer development beyond his playing career.Today in Miami

Former Barcelona star Lionel Messi has completed the purchase of Spanish fifth-tier club UE Cornella. Messi, who currently plays for MLS side Inter Miami, has acquired full ownership of the club located in the outskirts of Barcelona. The acquisition is described as the start of a new chapter aimed at driving the club's sporting and institutional growth.

Why it matters

This move represents Messi's first major investment in a soccer club outside of his professional playing career. It signals his ambitions to get involved in club ownership and development, potentially paving the way for future investments in the sport he dominated at the highest level.

The details

Messi has acquired 100% of UE Cornella, a club that currently plays in Spain's fifth division and is seeking promotion. The purchase is described as an effort to strengthen the club's foundations and continue investing in young talent.

  • Messi completed the purchase of UE Cornella on April 16, 2026.

The players

Lionel Messi

A former forward for FC Barcelona who currently plays for MLS club Inter Miami. Messi is now the 100% owner of Spanish fifth-tier club UE Cornella.

UE Cornella

A Spanish fifth-division soccer club located in the outskirts of Barcelona that Lionel Messi has acquired 100% ownership of.

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The takeaway

Messi's acquisition of UE Cornella represents his first major foray into club ownership, signaling his ambitions to get more involved in developing and investing in the sport he dominated as a player. This move could pave the way for future investments as Messi looks to transition into a new phase of his soccer career.