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Lionel Messi Buys Catalan Club UE Cornellà

The move signals a long-term bid to strengthen a famed Catalan talent pipeline.

Overview

  • UE Cornellà said Thursday that Messi finalized the club’s purchase, with several outlets reporting he holds 100% ownership as financial terms were not disclosed.
  • The club cast the deal as the start of a long-term project focused on academy investment and institutional growth rooted in local ties to Barcelona.
  • Reports disagree on Cornellà’s current level in Spain’s pyramid, reflecting recent relegations and a current promotion push that different outlets describe as third, fourth, or fifth tier.
  • Messi remains an active Inter Miami player under a contract that runs through 2028, pursuing ownership alongside his playing career and expected national-team duties this year.
  • Cornellà’s academy has produced top players such as Jordi Alba and David Raya, and Messi’s move fits a broader trend of star investors, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s stake in UD Almería.