Lionel Messi has taken a significant step into football ownership by acquiring a team within Spain’s fifth division.

The 38-year-old football legend, currently playing for Inter Miami, has obtained complete ownership of UE Cornella, a club situated just outside of Barcelona.

Messi now commands full control over the club, which is conveniently located a mere five miles from the iconic Camp Nou, as he begins to envision his future beyond playing.

In a statement, UE Cornella expressed that Messi’s involvement heralds “the start of a new era in the club’s history, focused on enhancing both sporting and institutional growth, reinforcing its foundations, and continuing to nurture talent investment.”

The club elaborated that the initiative is guided by a long-term strategy melding ambition with sustainability while maintaining a deep connection to its local heritage.

Lionel Messi will own a team in the Spanish fifth tier after buying a 100 per cent stake

Messi will control UE Cornella, who are based just five miles from Camp Nou in Barcelona

Established in 1951, UE Cornella competes in the Tercera Federacion Group 5. Currently, they hold the third position in the standings, trailing Manresa and Badalona, and are aiming for a promotion into the fourth tier.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and ex-Barcelona star Jordi Alba are among the players to have come through the ranks at UE Cornella.

Barcelona legend Messi has strengthened his ties to Catalonia with his purchase of the team but it remains unlikely he will ever return to the club as he is contracted to Inter Miami, owned by David Beckham, until 2028.

He could have faced Cornella in the Copa del Rey in his final season at Camp Nou but missed the tie because of a two-match suspension following the first red card of his Barcelona career in the Spanish Super Cup final ⁠against ​Athletic Bilbao. 

Messi could one day come up against his rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who bought a 25 per cent stake in Spanish second-tier side UD Almeria in February.

It comes after news that Messi is reportedly facing a lawsuit from a Florida promoter who is suing the star for fraud and breach of contract after he skipped a game for Argentina last year.

According to TMZ, VID – a Miami-based company that specialises in putting on sports and music events – has filed a lawsuit against both Messi and the Argentina Football Association.

David Raya is among the notable names to have come through at the club now owned by Messi

VID reportedly claims they lost out on millions of dollars after Messi missed Argentina’s friendly match against Venezuela. 

As reported by TMZ, VID allege that they agreed a $7million deal with the AFA for exclusive rights to two exhibition matches – Argentina vs. Venezuela and Argentina vs. Puerto Rico, which both took place in October.

As part of the deal, VID claims, Messi was required to play at least 30 minutes in each of the two games – unless he was injured.

But Messi instead watched Argentina’s win over Venezuela from the stands of Hard Rock Stadium, with VID reportedly claiming they paid for the suite where Messi spent the evening with his family.

The very next day, the 38-year-old scored twice as Inter Miami beat Atlanta United. He did feature when Argentina beat Puerto Rico, setting up two goals in a 6-0 win.

But, according to TMZ, VID claims they lost more than $1m after the game was moved from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale. 

Officials in Chicago claimed low ticket sales were to blame for the decision, while officials with the Argentine federation said the immigration crackdown in Chicago was responsible. 

VID claims the AFA promised to rectify the situation with games against China in 2026, only for those matches never to materialize.

According to TMZ, VID wants to be reimbursed for all the money they lost and more.