April 16 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi ⁠has acquired Spanish fifth-tier team UE Cornella, the ⁠Catalonia-based club announced on Thursday.

Argentina World Cup winner ‌Messi, who played 778 games and scored 672 goals for Barcelona before joining Paris St-Germain and Inter Miami, has taken over the ​Spanish club as part of a strategic ⁠effort to develop local ⁠talent in the region.