Key Takeaways:
- On Thursday, Lionel Messi acquired a majority stake in Unio Esportiva Cornella, a Tercera RFEF club near Barcelona
- Messi, who signed a contract extension with Inter Miami this year until 2028, continues to play professionally while also making moves off the pitch
- Despite ongoing speculation, Messi has not confirmed whether he will represent Argentina at the 2026 World Cup
Messi Invests in Unio Esportiva Cornella
Lionel Messi has further expanded his footballing footprint by purchasing a controlling interest in Unio Esportiva Cornella, a semi-professional club competing in Spain’s Tercera RFEF, the fifth tier of Spanish football. The veteran forward, presently at Inter Miami and still featuring for Argentina, has become Cornella’s majority owner, according to an official statement cited by Marca.
Cornella, established in 1951 as a result of a merger, boast a highly regarded youth academy. The club has produced notable talent including David Raya, Gerard Martin, Jordi Alba and Javi Puado. Of particular note, Jordi Alba also owns L’Hospitalet, a club in the same division, creating the intriguing scenario of two former teammates potentially seeing their clubs compete against one another.
Lionel Messi has expanded his stake in yet another football club, this time in Spain’s UE Cornellà, which plays in the fifth tier of Spanish football, adding to his business portfolio in the sport 👀
He already has some stake in Inter Miami, as well as Deportivo LSM in Uruguay… pic.twitter.com/LQS86qqxhQ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 16, 2026
Continued Playing Career and Future Plans
At 38 years old, Messi remains active on the field, having put pen to paper on a contract extension with Inter Miami earlier this year, which binds him to the club until 2028. While the former Barcelona icon has not yet commented on retiring, he has acknowledged that he is nearing the end of his playing days.
The football world continues to speculate on Messi’s plans concerning the 2026 World Cup, with Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni stating his willingness to do anything to ensure Messi’s participation. However, Messi himself has remained noncommittal on whether he will appear for Argentina at the tournament.
Messi’s Enduring Connections to Barcelona
Messi’s acquisition of Cornella, situated close to Barcelona, appears to reinforce the possibility of a return to life in Catalonia after his playing career. Earlier this season, after making an appearance at Camp Nou, Messi expressed an affection for Barcelona, calling the city ‘home’. Notably, he has never sold his house in Barcelona, sustaining ties to the region. There has been persistent discussion of a tribute at Camp Nou, though complications in Messi’s relationship with club president Joan Laporta may pose challenges to any such plans.
