Lionel Messi has become the new owner of Spanish third division side UE Cornella, a move that "reinforces his close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalonia".
Earlier this year, Messi confirmed his post-career ambition to own and develop his own football club after retiring.
"I'd like to have my own club, start from the bottom, and make it grow," he told Luzu TV. "To be able to give the kids the opportunity to develop and achieve something important. If I had to choose, that's what would appeal to me most."
The 38-year-old has already partnered with Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez to launch Uruguayan fourth division team Deportivo LSM.
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But on Thursday, the Argentine completed a full acquisition of his own football club, with the purchase being confirmed by Spanish third division side UE Cornella in an official statement.
It reads: "UE Cornella announces that Argentinian footballer and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Leo Messi has formalized the acquisition of the club, becoming the new owner of the Baix Llobregat institution.
"This move reinforces Messi’s close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalonia — a connection rooted in his years at FC Barcelona and sustained ever since.
"Founded in 1951, UE Cornella is one of the clubs with the greatest tradition in Catalan football, as well as at the national level.
"Throughout its history, the club has distinguished itself through a strong youth academy and its ability to compete at the highest levels of Spanish semi-professional football, becoming a benchmark in the development of young talent."
UE Cornella’s youth system has produced a number of former Barcelona players, including Jordi Alba
Cornella has spent its entire existence in the lower leagues of Spanish football, but their youth system is widely regarded as Catalonia’s third biggest nursery of football talent after Barcelona and Espanyol.
The most familiar of those youth products is former Barcelona full-back Jordi Alba, who spent two years at Cornella before joining Valencia. Others include Keita Balde, Víctor Ruiz and Enric Gallego.
Cornella's statement adds: "Messi’s commitment to young talent is also reflected in the club’s strong youth structure, with teams competing in the top youth categories at both national and regional levels.
"This commitment has also been demonstrated by the Argentina captain through other youth development initiatives, such as the Messi Cup — a tournament that held its first edition last December in Miami, featuring eight of the world’s top U16 teams (Newell’s Old Boys, Inter Milan, River Plate, Inter Miami, Atlético de Madrid, Chelsea FC, Manchester City, and FC Barcelona).
"Leo Messi’s arrival marks 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."
The statement added: "The project is guided by a long-term vision and a strategic plan that combines ambition, sustainability, and a strong connection to its local roots."
Topics: Lionel Messi, Barcelona
Jack Kenmare