Lionel Messi purchases fifth-tier Spanish club UE Cornella
Lionel Messi has purchased a fifth-tier Spanish side UE Cornella just weeks after Cristiano Ronaldo did the same in the next step of the pair’s rivalry, reports BritPanorama.
The Argentine secured complete control of the club, located just five miles from Camp Nou on the outskirts of Barcelona. While the purchase price has not been disclosed, this move signals Messi’s preparations for his post-playing career.
Messi’s investment in a club so close to his former home reinforces his ties to Catalonia, where he spent the majority of his professional career with FC Barcelona. UE Cornella currently competes in Tercera Federacion Group Five and occupies third place behind Manresa and Badalona, with ambitions of reaching the fourth tier.
The club, established in 1951, has produced notable talent, including Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and former Barcelona defender Jordi Alba. In a statement, UE Cornella described Messi’s arrival as “the beginning of a new chapter in the club’s history, aimed at driving both sporting and institutional growth, strengthening its foundations, and continuing to invest in talent.”
Messi’s arrival comes amidst speculation regarding his future. Despite his new investment near Barcelona, a return to Camp Nou appears improbable given that his contract with David Beckham’s Inter Miami runs until 2028. During his final campaign at Barcelona, the two sides were drawn together in the Copa del Rey, but Messi was unavailable for the fixture due to a two-match ban following the first red card of his Barcelona career.
The move into football ownership mirrors that of his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who acquired a 25 per cent stake in second-division side UD Almeria in February. Ronaldo is currently playing for Al-Nassr at 41, and he expressed his ambition to contribute to football beyond the pitch, highlighting the potential for growth at Almeria.
As the two legends of the sport carve their paths beyond the pitch, the implications of their decisions resonate within the broader world of football. Their ventures into club ownership signal both ambition and the enduring rivalry that has defined their respective careers.
In a sport ingrained with history and rivalry, the next chapter for these two iconic figures adds yet another layer to their storied legacies. It’s a reminder of how even heroes can take remarkable turns in pursuit of their passions, with each decision echoing through the landscape of football.
