Messi acquires Cornellà and joins the group

Lionel Messi is not alone in this trend of former players fully diving into club management. His total purchase of UE Cornellà, with the idea of boosting the youth academy and giving it international exposure, puts him on the same level as other stars who have already made their mark off the field.

An exclusive club: CR7, Mbappé, Modric, Beckham, Pique

Cristiano Ronaldo, for example, retained 25% of UD Almería, a club with solid foundations in LaLiga Hypermotion. The Portuguese made it clear: he wants to contribute to football beyond the pitch and support institutional growth. Luka Modric also joined this trend: after months of negotiation, he became a co-owner of Swansea, the historic Welsh team that is currently competing in the Championship.

The phenomenon doesn't stop there. Kylian Mbappé, at just 25 years old, became the owner of 80% of Caen in Ligue 2, becoming the youngest owner in the history of a professional club. And if we talk about pioneers, David Beckham paved the way in 2018 with Inter Miami, which he later controlled alongside Jorge Mas. His management attracted figures like Messi, Busquets, Alba, and Suárez, raising the club's prestige in the MLS.

Gerard Piqué also made his mark with Andorra, bought by his company Kosmos in 2018, achieving promotions to the Second Division. In England, the Scholes, Giggs, Butt, and Neville combo lifted Salford City from the eighth division to the Football League Two. And there's more: Azpilicueta bet on the digital project of Hashtag United, Drogba stayed with Phoenix Rising in the U.S., and Maldini co-founded Miami FC along with Ricardo Silva.

A possibility for when the time comes

Messi now joins this list of heavyweights who understand that football doesn't end when they hang up their boots. The ball keeps rolling, but from the office.

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