In a stunning off-field development, football icon Lionel Messi has expanded his portfolio by purchasing Catalan club Cornella, a team currently competing in Spain's fifth division.
The 38-year-old Argentine superstar, who currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, formalized the acquisition through an official club announcement. Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and former Barcelona legend, has deep ties to the Catalonia region where he spent most of his professional career.
"This move reinforces Messi's close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalonia," the club stated.
Cornella's modest stadium has a capacity of just 1,500 spectators, but the club has produced notable talent including Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and former Barcelona defender Jordi Alba. The acquisition follows a trend of high-profile footballers investing in lower-league clubs, with Messi's longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo having purchased a stake in Spanish side Almeria earlier this year.
Club officials framed the purchase as part of a long-term vision for growth, stating: "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."
Messi left Argentina for Spain at age 13 and made his Barcelona debut at 17, going on to score a club-record 672 goals before departing for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. His investment in Cornella represents a return to his Catalan roots while he continues his playing career in the United States.