Birmingham City's former sister club release statement as Lionel Messi completes takeover Birmingham City partnered with Spanish club UE Cornella under previous owners Trillion Trophy Asia Comments Sport Alex Dicken Birmingham City reporter 09:51, 17 Apr 2026 View Image Lionel Messi currently plays for MLS side Inter Miami CF Birmingham City’s former sister club UE Cornella has been bought by eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi. Argentine superstar Messi, 38, completed his purchase of Barcelona-based Cornella on Thursday. Messi naturally has close ties to Barcelona, having spent over 20 years living in the city and representing Barca with distinction. Now playing for Inter Miami – the MLS club co-owned by David Beckham – Messi is putting plans in place for retirement and his investment in Cornella is a sure sign that he will remain in football. FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK! All the latest Blues news on Birmingham Live’s Birmingham City FC Facebook page A statement said: "UE Cornellà 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." Cornella operate in the fifth tier of Spanish football and are known in these parts for their brief association with Blues during the ill-fated Trillion Trophy Asia era. Blues partnered with Cornella in late 2017 in order to give young players training and loan opportunities in Spain. In 2019 Blues signed midfielder Augustin Medina from Cornella and immediately loaned him back, whilst they also handed a two-year contract to Ivan Guzman before shipping him to Cornella. Medina made two appearances for Blues, including a debut in the Carabao Cup defeat to Portsmouth that saw Jude Bellingham make his professional debut aged 16. Cornella head coach Xavi Calm also swapped Catalonia for Birmingham in 2019 to become the club's under-21s coach. Calm swiftly returned to Spain but he has ventured over to England since and worked as Leicester City's assistant boss earlier this season. Article continues below Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more £44 Sky Get the deal here Product Description Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL. Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: www.birminghammail.co.uk