David Beckham’s influence is seemingly rubbing off on Lionel Messi, as the Inter Miami star sets himself up for life after football by buying a club of his own
Lionel Messi has followed in David Beckham’s footsteps by buying his very own football club. The Argentine, who is widely considered to be the greatest to ever play the beautiful game, is currently thriving in the twilight stages of his career with Inter Miami.
Beckham exercised an option to set up the club in 2014, before founding it in 2018. In the years since, Inter Miami has gone on to enjoy marked success in the MLS, clinching the Leagues Cup in 2023 before winning their conference the following year.
On top of that, the club has also attracted a number of world-class stars since its inception, from Messi to the likes of Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba. And now, it appears as though Messi is setting up the next stage of his own glorious career by purchasing UE Cornella in the Spanish third division.
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Based in Catalonia, like his beloved Barcelona where he spent 17 years of his playing career, Messi is understood to have bought a 100 per cent stake in Cornella, meaning he will own the club outright. An official statement announcing the acquisition read: “UE Cornella 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.
“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. Founded in 1951, UE Cornella is one of the clubs with the greatest tradition in Catalan football, as well as at the national level.
“Throughout its history, the club has distinguished itself through a strong youth academy and its ability to compete at the highest levels of Spanish semi-professional football, becoming a benchmark in the development of young talent.
“Several players who have gone on to reach the elite level of national and international football have come through the club’s ranks, including Spain and Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya; Jordi Alba, Messi’s former teammate at both FC Barcelona and Inter Miami; Gerard Martin, one of FC Barcelona’s recent standout players following his development as a first-team defender; Javi Puado, captain of RCD Espanyol and Spain international; Senegal international Keita Balde, with extensive experience across Europe’s top leagues; Aitor Ruibal, one of the current captains of Real Betis Balompie; and Ilie Sánchez, an MLS champion and two-time MLS All-Star.
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“All of them – along with many others who have gone on to build professional careers – reflect the strength and success of the club’s development model. 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-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.”
After joining from Newell’s Old Boys in his formative years, Messi broke through the Barcelona youth system and into the first team in 2004. He enjoyed a 17-year stay with the La Liga giants, racking up 672 goals and 303 assists in 778 appearances – remaining the club’s all-time top goalscorer.
He also collected a remarkable haul of seven Ballon d’Ors, 10 La Liga titles, 14 domestic cups and a quartet of Champions Leagues before moving on to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. After picking up another Ballon d’Or, two Ligue 1 trophies and a Trophee des Champions, he landed at Inter Miami in 2023.
Under contract until 2028, Messi shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. However, it is unknown as to whether the Rosario-born star will return to international action this summer to help them defend the World Cup they clinched just four years ago when a fresh tournament takes place across North America.
