Three Barcelona icons who made the same ownership move as Lionel Messi
Three Barcelona icons who made the same ownership move as Lionel Messi Barcelona legend Lionel Messi has taken a significant step into football ownership by acquiring Spanish fifth-division side UE Cornella . While still actively playing for Inter Miami and representing Argentina national team, Messi is now shaping the future of a club rooted in youth development. This Catalonia-based side has built a strong reputation over the years for nurturing talent, having played a role in the development of players like Jordi Alba and Gerard Martin.
Alba, in particular, spent formative years at Cornella before sealing his move to Barcelona back in 2012, a transfer that would eventually see him become one of the club’s most iconic full-backs. By stepping into ownership while still playing at the highest level, Messi is positioning himself as a long-term stakeholder in football’s ecosystem. Notably, this marks his first independent venture in club ownership, following his earlier collaboration with Luis Suarez in launching Deportivo LSM in Uruguay.
However, Messi is far from the first Barcelona icon to explore this path. In fact, several former Blaugrana stars have already paved the way, turning their footballing vision into tangible club projects. Gerard Pique’s Andorra revolution Gerard Pique owns FC Andorra.
(Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images For Sportel) One of the most prominent examples is Gerard Pique, who moved early into football ownership through his company Kosmos. In 2018, Pique acquired FC Andorra and wasted no time implementing his vision. The impact was immediate, as within just half a season, the club achieved promotion to the Third Division.
That same summer, they accelerated their climb through Spanish football. Under the guidance of coach Eder Sarabia, Andorra eventually reached the Segunda Division. While they have since experienced ups and downs, the club remains competitive in Liga Hypermotion and is widely recognised for its Barça-inspired philosophy, prioritising possession-based football and technical development.