Spain: Lionel Messi (ARG) new owner of UE Cornellà (5^th division)

Argentina international Lionel Messi has become the new owner of UE Cornellà, a club founded in 1951 and competing in the Spanish fifth division, it announced on 16/04/2026.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, under contract with Inter Miami (MLS) until 2028, has acquired the club based in Cornellà de Llobregat (Catalonia), near Barcelona, where he spent 21 years at FC Barcelona (LALIGA EA Sports, from 2000 to 2021). He is the second highest-paid player (after Cristiano Ronaldo) in the world in 2025-26 ($130m, including $60m from sporting performance and $70m from sponsorship), according to the American business magazine Forbes.

"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 project is guided by a long-term vision and a strategic plan that combines ambition, sustainability, and a strong connection to its local roots," UE Cornellà said.

The club highlighted "a strong youth academy, recognised as a benchmark, with several…