Lionel Messi already having huge impact on UE Cornella - the club he now owns

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FT Desk

Lionel Messi is already having a transformative impact on UE Cornella, the Spanish fifth-tier club he purchased in April.

A few months ago, it was confirmed that the Argentine had bought the Catalunya club outright.

“UE Cornella announces that Argentinian footballer and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Leo Messi has formalised the acquisition of the club, becoming the new owner of the Baix Llobregat institution," an official club statement read.

"This move reinforces Messi’s close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalonia — a connection rooted in his years at FC Barcelona and sustained ever since.

"Messi’s commitment to young talent is also reflected in the club’s strong youth structure, with teams competing in the top youth categories at both national and regional levels. This commitment has also been demonstrated by the Argentina captain through other youth development initiatives, such as the Messi Cup — a tournament that held its first edition last December in Miami, featuring eight of the world’s top U16 teams (Newell’s Old Boys, Inter Milan, River Plate, Inter Miami, Atlético de Madrid, Chelsea FC, Manchester City, and FC Barcelona).

"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. 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."

It was unclear at the time exactly what Messi would bring to the table as the owner of Cornella, especially since he remains an active footballer with Inter Miami.

While it's possible that he will one day be a presence in the boardroom, he is already having an impact despite currently living in another continent.

Marca reports that the club's social media channels have seen a growth of 1,634% since his ownership was confirmed.

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Cornella had 35,000 followers on Instagram, 10,000 on Facebook and 20,000 on X. Now, thanks to Messi, they now have 936,000, 138,000 and 53,000, respectively.

They aren't the only side that the eight-time Ballon d'Or win has invested in, either, as last week it was confirmed that he had reached an agreement to buy Segunda Division side Eldense.

For Messi, Eldense represents the more substantial investment, given the club’s presence in the much more higher standard Segunda Division.

Despite their disappointing start to the current season, financial backing from the Argentine could provide Eldense with the infrastructure required to mount a serious promotion challenge and potentially reach La Liga, setting up the possibility of facing Messi’s beloved Barcelona.

Interestingly, Eldense play in the same division as Almeria, who are partly owned by Messi's rivals Cristiano Ronaldo.