Unexpected Takeover in Barcelona
When Lionel Messi bought Spanish fifth tier club UE Cornellà in April, nobody expected it. Coach Ignasi Senabre thought the news was an artificial intelligence hoax when he first read about it in the media.
Senabre and his players soon gathered in a meeting room at Camp Municipal de Cornellà to watch a five minute video sent by Messi. The stadium sits right next to Espanyol's RCDE Stadium, separated by a 10 meter walkway in Cornellà de Llobregat, near Barcelona.
Cornellà played in the third division as recently as 2024. Back in 2021, they played Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, losing after extra time. However, two straight relegations dropped them into Spain's semi professional fifth division.
Off-Pitch Growth and Global Fame
The arrival of the Inter Miami star transformed the club off the field. Cornellà's social media following jumped from 35,000 to over one million across all platforms. They now have more Instagram followers than Espanyol.
New commercial deals followed quickly. Adidas and MyInvestor joined as sponsors, allowing green Cornellà shirts with Messi 10 on the back to be sold online for the first time.
Messi also established a new reserve team and created a women's side. Captain Amara Forcada noted that Messi entering women's football proves its reality. Off the pitch, former Inter Miami interim coach Guillermo Hoyos serves as an advisor.
Struggles on the Field and League Rules
Despite commercial success, results on the pitch remain difficult for the senior squad. In a recent match against FE Grama, Marc Esteban scored in the second half to earn a point for Senabre's team.
Cornellà have won just two of their opening 10 league matches this season. They currently sit closer to the relegation zone than the promotion places. Fewer than 1,000 fans attended the Grama match in a single stand that holds around 700 people.
The club also faces rules regarding ownership. Messi recently announced the purchase of second division side Eldense. If the Spanish National Sports Council approves the arrangement, Article 37 of Spanish Football Federation rules states both teams cannot compete in the same division.
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