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Leo Messi officially finalized the acquisition of UE Cornellà this Thursday, a Catalan club that competes in the Tercera RFEF, the fifth tier of Spanish football, thus solidifying his return to the Iberian football scene as a businessman.
The club, founded in 1951 and based in Cornellà de Llobregat, in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, announced the operation in a statement highlighting how the purchase strengthens its close relationship with Barcelona and its commitment to the development of sports and local talent in Catalonia.
"The arrival of Leo Messi marks a new chapter in the history of the club, aiming to enhance its sporting and institutional growth, strengthen its structure, and continue investing in talent," states the official document.
The project includes, according to the statement, "a long-term vision, with a strategic plan that combines ambition, sustainability, and rootedness."
Cornellà is recognized for its strong youth development: among its ranks have passed players who reached the elite, such as the goalkeeper of Arsenal and the Spanish national team David Raya, former Barcelona player Jordi Alba, FC Barcelona defender Gerard Martín, Senegalese international Keita Baldé, Betis player Aitor Ruibal, Espanyol captain Javi Puado, and MLS champion Ilie Sánchez.
In sports terms, the team currently holds the third position in Group V of the Tercera RFEF, five points behind the leader, Manresa. If they finish the season between second and fifth place, the club recently acquired by Messi will compete in the promotion playoffs to the Segunda RFEF.
The Cornellà de Llobregat City Council celebrated the operation with a statement of its own, revealing that it had participated in the negotiations regarding its role as the manager of the municipal football field. "This is a piece of news of great relevance that opens new expectations and opportunities for both the entity and the city," stated the council, led by the socialist Antonio Balmón.
The city council also emphasized that the club's foundation, through which projects such as the sports school, women's football, and social inclusion football are organized, has been safeguarded as "an essential part of the entity's identity."
The president of the Catalan Football Federation, Joan Soteras, also celebrated the news: "The purchase of Cornellà is not a coincidence. It demonstrates the understanding of our football and is connected to a leading club in training that competes at the highest levels."
The acquisition of Cornellà is part of Messi's business strategy focused on youth soccer. The Argentine star, an eight-time winner of the Ballon d'Or, was already the owner of Leones de Rosario FC in Argentina and a co-owner alongside Luis Suárez of Deportivo LSM in Uruguay, established in May 2025.
Furthermore, he remains active at Inter Miami, an MLS club, with a current contract until 2028, which includes agreements regarding his potential future association with the organization after his retirement.
This commitment to young talent is also reflected in the Messi Cup, a U-16 tournament that held its first edition in Miami in December 2025, featuring eight elite clubs from around the world, including FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Manchester City, River Plate, and Inter Milan.
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