Lionel Messi makes first major decision as owner of UE Cornella

Lionel Messi became the owner of Spanish fifth division club UE Cornella in late April, and he is already looking to make significant moves at the club.

Cornella are set to play Vilanova i la Geltru CF in the playoffs to attempt to gain promotion to the Spanish fourth division, and Messi will surely be watching from afar in Miami, hoping they can achieve this just a month after he assumed ownership.

The four-time Champions League winner is now looking to make a dramatic change to the club he has just acquired.

According to Catalunya Radio, Messi is actively working on creating a fully independent women’s soccer section within the club’s structure.

The club's only women's setup has so far integrated into the UE Cornella foundation system, which heavily links to the youth development structure.

Now, the 38-year-old wants to establish an independent women’s team fully owned and operated by Cornella.

Messi will be aiming to set this up quickly, as it is believed he wants to have it operating for next season, with the club starting in the lower levels of the Spanish women’s pyramid.

The long-term project would look to see the team grow slowly with the aim of playing in Spain’s top division and competing with Barcelona.

According to reports, the club are already actively recruiting players from around Catalunya to become part of the team for next season as they look to begin their journey to the Primera Division de la Liga de Futbol Femenino.

The team would begin as an amateur setup, built primarily around youth players, as part of a carefully structured long-term development plan.

An UE Cornella sign sits on display at Estadio Municipal Cornella on April 20, 2026 in Cornella, Spain. Former FC Barcelona and Inter Miami player Lionel Messi announced the acquisition of UE Cornella. (Getty Images)

Messi himself is said to be highly involved in the project, regularly meeting with club officials via video calls to stay updated on progress and planning.

While they will be starting from the bottom, Cornella will aim to become the latest team from the city of Barcelona to play in the Liga F, with three currently competing in the division; these include Barcelona, Espanyol and FC Badalona.

Barcelona are the current champions of the competition, having won their 11th title this season, their seventh in a row, while Espanyol have also claimed the Liga F once, in 2006, and so Cornella will be aiming over time to become the third club from the city to win the trophy.