Lionel Messi buys Barcelona-based Spanish football club Cornella

play Live Sign upShow navigation menu.css-15ru6p1{font-size:inherit;font-weight:normal;}Navigation menuNewsShow more news sectionsAfricaAsiaUS & CanadaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle EastExplainedOpinionSportVideoMoreShow more sectionsFeaturesEconomyHuman RightsClimate CrisisInvestigationsInteractivesIn PicturesScience & TechnologyPodcastsTravelplay Live Click here to searchsearchSign upNavigation menucaret-leftTrendingUS-Israel war on IranTracking Israel's ceasefire violationsRussia-Ukraine warDonald Trumpcaret-rightSport|FootballLionel Messi buys Barcelona-based Spanish football club CornellaThe Argentina and Inter Miami forward has bought Cornella, who play in the same city as his former club Barcelona. xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoArgentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Zambia during a friendly ahead of the 2026 World Cup [Gustavo Garello/AP]By The Associated PressPublished On 16 Apr 202616 Apr 2026Lionel Messi is the owner of a fifth-division football club in Spain after the Argentinian superstar acquired Barcelona-based UE Cornella. Messi was the best player of his generation during his two decades at FC Barcelona, where he won multiple titles and Ballon d’Or awards before leaving in 2021. Cornella is a modest club in a working-class neighbourhood. The club announced the deal on Thursday without giving details of the purchase. “Leo Messi’s arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter in the club’s history,” the club said in a statement. “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.” Cornella was founded in 1951 and has helped produce players such as Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and former Barcelona defender Jordi Alba, who also played with Messi at Inter Miami. At age 38, Messi is aiming to compete in the World Cup in North America this year, during which Argentina will defend the title. Advertisement AboutAboutShow moreAbout UsCode of EthicsTerms and ConditionsEU/EEA Regulatory NoticePrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyCookie PreferencesAccessibility StatementSitemapWork for usConnectConnectShow moreContact UsUser Accounts HelpAdvertise with usStay ConnectedNewslettersChannel FinderTV SchedulePodcastsSubmit a TipPaid Partner ContentOur ChannelsOur ChannelsShow moreAl Jazeera ArabicAl Jazeera EnglishAl Jazeera Investigative UnitAl Jazeera MubasherAl Jazeera DocumentaryAl Jazeera BalkansAJ+Our NetworkOur NetworkShow moreAl Jazeera Centre for StudiesAl Jazeera Media InstituteLearn ArabicAl Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human RightsAl Jazeera ForumAl Jazeera Hotel PartnersFollow Al Jazeera English: