Lionel Messi revolutionized the Catalan football system. He has become the new owner of UE Cornella, a historic club in the metropolitan area of Barcelona that plays in the Tercera RFEF, the fifth division of Spanish football. In doing so, he joins the list of former Barcelona players who have jumped on the bandwagon.
Previously, Gerard Pique, and Andorra; Jordi Alba and Thiago Alcantara, and CE L’Hospitalet; and Andres Iniesta, and Helsingor of Denmark, have done that.
But the acquisition of UE Cornella by Inter Miami the footballer had an impact equal to his stature.
News that shakes the world
Two facts show the undoubted power of the Messi brand. The first is the impact on social media: in just three days, The group’s Instagram account has surpassed 600,000 followers.
It is surprising that the stadium of the Parakeet club, which plays in LaLiga, is only 400 meters from the Municipality of Nou de Cornella de Llobregat. The 1,500-capacity artificial grass stadium where Messi’s new team plays its games.
Another example of media access was seen in an internet search for a Catalan club. In just seven days, searches for the term ‘UE Cornella’ on Google and YouTube increased by 2,350%, according to Google Trends.
And all this, UE Cornella achieved with a short statement of 433 words published on its website. In the text, among other things, it is emphasized that the arrival of Leo Messi will open “a new stage in the club’s history. With the aim of promoting its growth in sports and institutions, strengthening its structure and continuing to support talent”.
Confidentiality regarding operational details
Ever since the news broke, the forum has been shrouded in secrecy. A low level communications policy has been adopted.
Few figures have emerged from the purchase of the company, which, a few months before Messi’s arrival, has already made changes to its share structure.
One of the figures, according to different sources discussed by EFE, had an important role in the operation was Andres Manzano. In 2024, he left the position of general manager of the club and last summer joined the youth football structure of FC Barcelona.
One of the actors involved in the negotiations that started in December last year, the City Council of Cornella de Llobregat as the manager of the municipal stadium where Messi’s team usually plays.
In an interview with EFE, socialist Antonio Balmon, the mayor of the city, emphasized that the maintenance of the club’s Foundation building, which shelters many grassroots football teams, women’s sports and integrated sports, was key.
The mayor is clear about the reasons why Messi chose UE Cornella. “It has produced many high-level players. Everyone respects Cornella for its sports school, for its constant work and because it does that at a small cost. I think Messi and his people realized that there are not many clubs with these guarantees.”
UE Cornellà, the nursery of Catalan football
Messi has found one of the most historic clubs in Catalan football. The club was founded in 1951, and is known for its youth development work.
Players who have come through its ranks and reached the top include current Spanish and Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, former Barcelona player Jordi Alba, Barcelona defender Gerard Martin, Senegal player Keita Balde, MLS champion Ilie Sanchez, Real Betis player Aitor Ruibal and Espanyol captain Javi Puado, among others.
“Cornellà is known in Spain because the first team has reached the national stages (up to the Primera RFEF, third stage), but also being a reference in training. It usually has the best stages for youth, children and cadets. Apart from Barcelona and Espanyol, Damm and Cornellà are the best in grassroots football,” the president of the Catalan Football Federation (FCF), told JoanFE.
An opinion shared by Dani Horcas, current youth coach at Jabac Terrassa.
This experienced Catalan football coach knows what he is talking about. He spent eight years in charge of the youth teams at UE Cornella before moving on to FC Barcelona, where he spent another eight years.
Horcas told EFE that there must have been a number of factors that influenced Messi’s decision to buy UE Cornella, a club that has historically made money through youth transfers and coaching rights.
Therefore, he confirms that with the arrival of the Argentine, the signing of Cornella will be “one more”, so he predicts that the club will “gain in terms of attracting” players.
For his part, Soteras believes that this project will be “good for Catalan and Spanish football”, and he is happy that former football players linked to Catalonia are buying humble clubs: “They are investing in what they know and understand, the world of football and grassroots football”.
Economic impact
Messi’s entry into the modest club’s stock management highlights the interest the football industry is resurgent in other players.
According to experts in the sports industry interviewed by EFE, the reasons for this investment trend among football players can be many and different, depending on what is happening.
According to this consultant, the legend of Barcelona can be a “magnet” to attract talent. “Having Messi as a shareholder is not the same as not having him. The families of football players will want their son to play in Messi’s team,” said Canto. He adds that a football club “can be profitable if it is managed sensibly”.
Ivan Cabeza, professor of the Faculty of Economics at the University of Barcelona (UB), is very skeptical about the financial benefit of this project. He points out that investors who buy teams do not recoup their investment by generating cash flow or profits.
“The real business of the football industry is that there is someone who buys more than the price you bought,” said the UB professor, who warns of “the possibility of a bubble in the valuation” of teams, especially those at the top level.
Funding opportunity
Where Canto and Cabeza agree is in the commercial and sponsorship opportunities UE Cornellà can enjoy with its new owner.
However, Balmon prefers to be aware of what Barcelona legend E Cornella will bring.
“I think it will improve the first team and strengthen everything that is done with the Foundation. Both things go hand in hand and I think that’s what will happen. But it’s still early. Now we’re warmed up, we’ll wait for the water to clear and we’ll calmly look at what happens in the future,” concluded Balmon.
