Messi Takes Full Control Of UE Cornellà In Shock Ownership Move
Sports Updated: 16 April 2026 20:30 EAT
Lionel Messi now owns the third-division Spanish club UE Cornellà.
Lionel Messi has reportedly become the new owner of Barcelona-based club UE Cornellà, marking a significant development in his post-playing career involvement in football.
The agreement is said to give Messi full control of the Spanish lower-division side, which competes in the country’s fifth tier and is known for its strong focus on youth development.
UE Cornellà, founded in 1951 and located in the Catalonia region near Barcelona, has built a reputation as a feeder club, producing and developing players who later progress into higher divisions of Spanish and European football.
The acquisition is viewed as Messi’s first full ownership role in European football, extending his influence beyond his playing legacy at Barcelona, where he spent more than two decades and became the club’s all-time leading scorer.
The club’s leadership is expected to retain a key role in day-to-day operations, while Messi’s involvement is projected to focus on long-term sporting direction, academy development and structural investment.
Cornellà’s model has traditionally emphasized youth progression, and the new ownership is expected to reinforce that identity with improved scouting networks and enhanced training facilities.
Financial details of the transaction have not been publicly disclosed, but reports suggest the deal represents a full takeover rather than a minority investment or advisory role.
The move places Messi among a growing group of elite former players stepping into club ownership, signaling a shift toward post-career influence within football governance and development structures.
Tags: 6G Argentina Article Barcelona Barcelona Fc Lionel Messi News Article Signs Signs Media Kenya Limited Signs Tv Signsmedia Signstvkenya Sports Article Sports City Sports Commentary Sports Enthusiasm Sports Enthusiasm Sports Journalism
Share this article
FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD