Lionel Messi's new role? Argentina star buys club in Spain
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi is following in the footsteps of his famous friends and buying a soccer club just miles from the Camp Nou.
Legend. World champion. MLS Cup winner.
Ballon d'Or mainstay. And, now, club owner. Lionel Messi is adding another title to his illustrious list.
Soccer icon David Beckham moved into ownership after his playing career, launching MLS team Inter Miami and bringing Messi to South Florida. Now, Messi is following in Beckham's footsteps by acquiring a club of his own. The Inter Miami star is the new owner of UE Cornellà, the Tercera Federación club in the fifth tier of Spanish soccer.
"UE Cornellà announces that Argentinian footballer and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Leo Messi has formalized the acquisition of the club, becoming the new owner of the Baix Llobregat institution," a club statement released Thursday, April 16 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. " While Messi went directly from his Argentine youth club to FC Barcelona, Cornellà has played a role in the development of many top talents from the Catalonia region of Spain.