Lionel Messi's acquisition of UE Cornellà has sparked comparisons to Wrexham's rapid rise, but the Catalan club's project differs fundamentally. Cornellà, a fifth-tier side from Barcelona's suburbs, recently achieved a notable cup upset by defeating Manchester City, Inter Milan, and Arsenal in the Messi Cup with their under-16 squad. However, the senior team struggled locally, drawing FE Grama 1-1.
Messi's involvement, confirmed by coach Ignasi Senabre who initially believed it was a hoax, includes a personal introduction video. Cornellà's stadium sits just 10 metres from Espanyol's La Liga ground. The club has experienced back-to-back relegations, dropping from the third tier in 2024.
Despite the challenges, the takeover has yielded immediate benefits: social media followers surged from 35,000 to over one million, making Cornellà the 12th-most followed Spanish club on Instagram, surpassing Espanyol. New sponsors, including Adidas, have joined, bringing international attention and business opportunities. A source at the club emphasizes that Messi's vision differs from Wrexham's Hollywood-driven model, focusing on the club's unique project rather than rapid pyramid ascension.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing