In a major development for Spanish football, Lionel Messi has purchased UE Cornellà, a club based in Catalonia, taking full 100% ownership. The news, first broken by reliable transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, marks Messi’s entry into club ownership close to his spiritual football home in Barcelona.
Messi Returns to Catalonia as Club Owner
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion has formalized the acquisition of Unió Esportiva Cornellà (UE Cornellà), a club from Cornellà de Llobregat, a municipality in the Barcelona metropolitan area. This move sees Messi become the sole owner of the team currently competing in Spain’s Tercera Federación (third division / fifth tier of the Spanish football pyramid).
The deal represents a significant personal and professional step for the Argentine superstar, who spent the majority of his glittering career at nearby FC Barcelona. Cornellà is located just southwest of Barcelona, making it a natural fit for Messi’s deep-rooted connection to Catalan football.
About UE Cornellà: History and Background
Founded in 1951 through the merger of local clubs including Club Atlético Padró and Acadèmia Junyent, UE Cornellà has long been a community-focused side in the lower tiers of Spanish football. The club has primarily competed in regional leagues and the fourth or fifth divisions, with a notable promotion to Segunda División B (third tier) in 2014.
- Home ground: Municipal stadium in Cornellà de Llobregat (capacity around 1,500 for the main pitch, though some matches use nearby facilities).
- Colors: Traditionally green and white.
- Notable achievement: Winning the Copa Catalunya in 2018 and developing several players who progressed to higher levels.
While modest in size compared to giants like Barcelona or Espanyol, the club has a reputation for solid youth development and local pride in the Baix Llobregat area.