Lionel Messi Completes Takeover of Birmingham City's Former Sister Club
Lionel Messi, the Argentine football legend and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, has finalized the acquisition of UE Cornella, a Spanish club that was previously a sister club to Birmingham City. This move marks a significant step in Messi's transition into football ownership as he nears retirement from playing.
Messi's Connection to Barcelona and Football Future
At 38 years old, Messi currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, a club co-owned by David Beckham. His purchase of Cornella, based in Barcelona, underscores his deep ties to the city where he lived for over two decades and achieved legendary status with FC Barcelona. A statement from the club highlighted that this investment reinforces Messi's commitment to developing sport and local talent in Catalonia, a region he has been connected to since his time at Barcelona.
Historical Link to Birmingham City
UE Cornella operates in the fifth tier of Spanish football and gained recognition in England due to its brief partnership with Birmingham City during the Trillion Trophy Asia ownership era. In late 2017, Birmingham City partnered with Cornella to provide young players with training and loan opportunities in Spain. This collaboration led to several player movements, including the signing of midfielder Augustin Medina in 2019, who made two appearances for Birmingham City, notably in a Carabao Cup match where Jude Bellingham made his professional debut at age 16.
Additionally, Birmingham City signed Ivan Guzman on a two-year contract before loaning him to Cornella. The clubs also exchanged coaching staff, with Cornella's head coach Xavi Calm moving to Birmingham in 2019 to become the under-21s coach. Calm later returned to Spain but has since worked in England, including as an assistant boss at Leicester City earlier this season.
Implications for Messi and Football
This takeover signals Messi's intention to remain actively involved in football after his playing career ends. By investing in a lower-tier Spanish club with historical ties to English football, Messi is positioning himself to influence the sport's development at a grassroots level. The move also highlights the ongoing global connections in football, where clubs from different leagues collaborate to nurture talent and share resources.
As Messi continues his playing career with Inter Miami, his ownership of Cornella adds a new dimension to his legacy, blending his past achievements with future ambitions in the football world.
