MADRID-(MaraviPost)-Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has completed a full takeover of Spanish club UE Cornellà, which competes in Spain’s third tier.
The club, founded in 1951, will now be under Messi’s ownership after the Inter Miami forward acquired 100 percent of the team.
The move marks Messi’s first major step into football club ownership in Europe since leaving Barcelona in 2021.
UE Cornellà, based in the municipality of Cornellà de Llobregat in Catalonia, currently plays in the Primera Federación, the third level of the Spanish football league system.
The club has a modest stadium, Nou Municipal, and has built a reputation for developing young talent while maintaining strong community ties in the Barcelona metropolitan area.
Sources close to the deal indicated that Messi’s acquisition was finalized this week, with all legal and administrative processes concluded to transfer full ownership to the World Cup winner.
Financial details of the transaction have not been publicly disclosed, but the takeover gives Messi complete control of the club’s sporting and commercial operations.
The purchase signals Messi’s long-term commitment to Spanish football despite his current playing career in Major League Soccer.
UE Cornellà has historically been known for its youth academy and has previously faced Barcelona in Copa del Rey fixtures, drawing attention for its competitive spirit against larger clubs.
Club officials welcomed the takeover, describing it as a transformative moment for UE Cornellà.
In a brief statement, the club said Messi’s involvement would bring global visibility, investment in infrastructure, and new opportunities for player development.
Supporters gathered outside the club offices on Thursday, with many expressing optimism that the Argentine’s leadership could elevate the team to higher divisions.
Messi, 38, has not yet outlined his full vision for the club, but analysts expect upgrades to training facilities, expanded scouting networks, and increased commercial partnerships.
His brand power is likely to attract sponsors and international interest rarely seen at the third-tier level in Spain.
The acquisition also carries symbolic weight. Cornellà is located just outside Barcelona, the city where Messi spent more than two decades and became the club’s all-time leading scorer.
Owning a team in the region reconnects him with the Catalan football landscape, albeit outside the Camp Nou spotlight.
There is no indication that Messi plans to play for UE Cornellà. His current contract with Inter Miami runs through the end of the 2026 MLS season, and he remains focused on his playing commitments and the 2026 World Cup.
However, the takeover positions him to shape the club’s future from an executive perspective.
Local authorities in Cornellà de Llobregat have congratulated the club and pledged support for any planned improvements that benefit the community.
The municipality views the investment as a potential boost for local sport and economic activity.
UE Cornellà’s immediate priority will be the ongoing league campaign, where the team is aiming to consolidate its position in the Primera Federación.
Longer term, promotion to LaLiga2 would represent a major milestone under the new ownership.
Messi’s representatives did not respond to Maravipost questionaire for comment at the time of publication.
The club is expected to hold a press conference in the coming days to present the new project and leadership structure.