Messi Is Buying Football Clubs. What's the Plan?

Messi spent his career making football clubs more valuable. Now he is starting to buy the assets himself. Why would a player with his money be interested in lower-league clubs? Kwame looks at UE Cornellà, the agreement in principle for CD Eldense, and the expected future Inter Miami ownership stake discussed in this video. We explore how promotion, player development, sponsorship, global attention and football contacts could change the economics of a small club—and why great playing ability does not automatically make someone a great owner. The Eldense deal described here still requires approval from Spain's High Council for Sports, its price is unknown, and no giant Messi multi-club strategy has been announced. The possible connections between clubs are analysis, not a confirmed plan. From Cristiano Ronaldo and Almería to Kylian Mbappé and Caen, the wider question is fascinating: why leave the industry that made you rich when you could own a piece of it?