Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has completed a full takeover of Spanish third-tier club UE Cornella, cementing his long-standing ties to the Catalonia region.
The 38-year-old World Cup winner has acquired a 100 per cent stake in the club, granting him absolute control over its future operations.
Cornella is based in the Baix Llobregat area, with their home stadium situated just five miles away from the Nou Camp, where the legendary attacker spent the vast majority of his illustrious playing career.
Strengthening ties with Catalonia
An official statement released by the lower-league side confirmed the high-profile acquisition.
UE Cornella 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.
A deep-rooted connection to Spanish football
The prolific goalscorer originally arrived in Spain as a teenager to join Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy, eventually establishing himself as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
Investing in a local development-focused institution suggests the former Parisian is carefully planning his post-playing career.
By taking ownership of a nearby community club, the Argentine is ensuring a lasting legacy in the specific region that shaped his professional life.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group’s head of football Michael Edwards will remain in their positions for the upcoming summer transfer window, despite recent speculation surrounding their futures at Anfield.
The pair are contracted until 2027 and will oversee a critical period for the Merseyside club following a disappointing defence of their Premier League title.
Doubts had surfaced regarding the executive duo after a record-breaking spend of nearly £500m last summer failed to yield on-pitch success for manager Arne Slot.
However, the club hierarchy remains satisfied with the foundational work completed by the decision-makers.
Replacing Salah and managing record arrivals
A primary objective for the boardroom team will be identifying a successor for departing talisman Mohamed Salah.
They must also extract better returns from big-money acquisitions, including £125m striker Alexander Isak and £116.5m playmaker Florian Wirtz.
Since reuniting at the club in the summer of 2024, the transfer strategists have authorised £459m in player purchases.
This significant outlay has been partially offset by £290m generated from high-profile departures, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez.
External interest and multi-club model doubts
Speculation over the future of the former Bournemouth sporting director had intensified following reported interest from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.
Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounding the FSG head of football emerged after the ownership group reportedly shelved plans to establish a multi-club model.
“One of the biggest factors in my return was the commitment to acquire and oversee an additional club,” Edwards stated upon his appointment in March 2024.
Struggling champions face tense finale
The executive pairing were responsible for hiring Slot to succeed Jurgen Klopp, a decision that yielded an immediate 20th English league title for the Reds.
That triumphant debut campaign was achieved with a league-low net spend, featuring solely the addition of Federico Chiesa.
However, a drastic change of strategy last summer saw the reigning champions break the Premier League record for a single transfer window.
The £446.5m investment has dramatically backfired, leaving the team facing a trophyless season after winning the league by 10 points last year.
Slot’s side are currently fighting simply to secure Champions League qualification, sitting precariously in fifth place as the current campaign concludes.
Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has agreed a new contract until 2033 in a major boost for the club amid a difficult run of form.
The completion of the deal is now considered a formality and coincides with the Ecuador international’s move to the prominent CAA Base agency.
This improved agreement will elevate his wages, ensuring he remains among the highest earners at Stamford Bridge.
Reward for consistent performances
The 22-year-old has been a near-ever-present figure in the starting lineup since his £115m transfer from Brighton in August 2023.
Securing the defensive midfielder’s future provides welcome relief for the Blues, who have recently suffered five defeats in their last six matches across all competitions.
His renewal follows club captain Reece James committing his own long-term future to the West London side last month.
Managerial hints and squad uncertainty
Head coach Liam Rosenior recently suggested that further key players would follow James in pledging their allegiance.
Players’ commitment to the club should be judged by actions, you’ll see.
Rosenior’s comments arrived after midfield partner Enzo Fernandez and defender Marc Cucurella both gave interviews during the March international break casting doubt over their respective futures.
The Argentine World Cup winner repeatedly expressed a desire to move to Madrid, while the Spanish full-back publicly questioned Chelsea’s youth-focused, high-turnover transfer strategy.
The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust has published an open letter declaring an “erosion of trust” in the club’s owners, BlueCo, ahead of planned protests at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Fan protests against the ownership group are scheduled to take place before the weekend’s Premier League home fixture against Manchester United.
Supporters of the West London side will be joined by followers of French club Strasbourg, who are also staging demonstrations against their inclusion in BlueCo’s multi-club ownership model.
Stamford Bridge unrest follows record spending
This public statement follows a turbulent period on and off the pitch for the two-time Champions League winners.
Approximately £1.5bn has been spent on transfer fees since the current consortium took charge of operations in 2022.
However, this unprecedented investment coincided with a Premier League record pre-tax loss of £262.4m for the last financial year.
On the pitch, interim manager Liam Rosenior has overseen five defeats in his first six matches following the December dismissal of Enzo Maresca.
‘Relentless upheaval and extraordinary disruption’
Despite recent poor form, the supporters’ group emphasised that their deep-rooted grievances extend far beyond short-term results.
“These concerns relate to the underlying direction of the club, and they will persist regardless of fluctuations on the pitch.”
Chelsea Supporters’ Trust
The letter highlighted a widespread lack of clarity regarding a long-term plan, pointing to constant changes among players, managers, and structural staff.
“Four years on, there is still no sufficiently clear or convincing explanation of how that plan delivers sustained success while preserving a recognisable Chelsea identity.”
Chelsea Supporters’ Trust
The supporter collective also cited ongoing issues regarding ticketing and general fan engagement as key factors driving the growing disconnect.
They concluded the powerful letter by stating that loyal fans are simply asking to recognise the historic football institution they have always supported.
Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid while Bayern Munich take on Paris Saint-Germain in two heavily contrasting Champions League semi-final ties.
Clash of attacking titans
The German league leaders are preparing for their 11th meeting with the French champions in the past decade.
Vincent Kompany’s side secured their place after a thrilling quarter-final victory over Real Madrid.
The Bavarian giants opted for a remarkably aggressive pressing strategy to eliminate the Spanish heavyweights.
Paris Saint-Germain, meanwhile, enter the tie boasting the finest possession statistics in world football.
The Parisian outfit will rely on their attacking prowess as they seek to successfully defend their European crown.
Defensive masters collide
In the other highly anticipated tie, the world’s tightest defence meets the ultimate defensive specialists of the modern era.
Mikel Arteta’s side must find a way past Diego Simeone’s famously resolute Madrid outfit.
The London club have occasionally misfired in attack recently but remain defensively formidable across all competitions.
Atletico possess significant pedigree at this stage, having progressed from two of their three previous semi-final appearances.
Tactical gambles pay off
Bayern’s progression highlighted a fearless tactical approach under their Belgian manager.
Despite holding a slender first-leg advantage, the six-time European champions pressed high up the pitch against Real Madrid.
This bold strategy helped neutralise dangerous attackers including Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.
However, defensive errors remain a concern, with veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer punished by Arda Guler during the previous round.
The upcoming fixtures will ultimately test whether attacking flair or defensive solidity triumphs in Europe’s elite competition.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is available for Saturday’s Premier League match against Manchester United after serving a two-game club suspension for making inappropriate comments regarding his future.
The Argentine was sanctioned by the west London club after openly courting interest from Real Madrid.
In recent interviews, the 25-year-old cast doubt over his future at Stamford Bridge and expressed a strong desire to live in the Spanish capital.
Blues manager Liam Rosenior stated that a clear boundary had been crossed, resulting in the player being dropped from the first-team squad.
Absence felt during recent fixtures
Consequently, the central midfielder missed Chelsea’s emphatic 7-0 FA Cup victory over Port Vale and last week’s 3-0 top-flight defeat against Manchester City.
Despite the disciplinary action, Rosenior confirmed on Thursday that his returning star has been integrated back into the available squad.
The South American playmaker had been wearing the captain’s armband earlier this season while regular skipper Reece James remained sidelined.
“Enzo has been with the group and has been training very, very well,” said Rosenior.
“So, it’s business as usual in terms of selection for the game.”
Defensive injury updates
Alongside the midfield boost, Rosenior provided updates on several key defensive absentees.
Trevoh Chalobah is nearing a return to action after being sidelined since their Champions League quarter-final elimination by Paris St-Germain.
The centre-back participated in a modified training session on Thursday, though club captain James remains further away from fitness following a month-long absence.
Colwill nears competitive return
Meanwhile, Levi Colwill has resumed first-team training following a severe anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during pre-season.
The highly-rated defender is scheduled to feature for the under-21 side in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Friday as part of his ongoing rehabilitation.
“When you have a long-term injury, to the extent of Levi’s injury, you need a long rehab period,” Rosenior explained.
The manager emphasised the importance of ensuring complete match fitness before reintegrating the young leader into the senior team.
Leicester City are on the verge of suffering relegation to League One just 10 years after their historic Premier League triumph, sitting five points adrift of safety with four Championship games remaining.
The Foxes travel to Fratton Park on Saturday to face Portsmouth in a critical must-win encounter.
Gary Rowett’s side desperately need a victory to close the daunting five-point gap.
A six-point deduction for financial mismanagement has severely hampered the East Midlands club throughout this campaign.
Decade of decline
Exactly a decade ago, the club sat top of the top flight on their way to an unprecedented English title.
They also lifted the FA Cup just five years ago, highlighting the dramatic scale of their recent collapse.
The current squad is widely considered to be performing significantly below expectations despite the ongoing financial constraints.
Relegation would see the 2016 English champions drop into the third tier for the first time since 2009.
Pundit predicts impending drop
Sky Sports pundit Tommy Smith believes the struggling outfit lacks the necessary fight to survive the drop.
“I don’t think they’ve got enough in the team or the dressing room to get three wins from four, and that’s what they need right now.” – Tommy Smith
Smith argued that the squad does not possess the resilience required to secure maximum points from their final fixtures.
He noted that too many draws under Rowett have cost the team crucial ground at a vital stage of the season.
Supporters voice frustration
Fans have pointed to poor recruitment as a primary catalyst for the catastrophic season.
Supporter Elliot Sumner highlighted the failure to replace departed club legend Jamie Vardy as a fundamental error.
“That decision by not bringing in a striker has really cost us.” – Elliot Sumner
The fanbase is increasingly disillusioned by what they perceive as a distinct lack of visible passion on the pitch.
Former Arsenal and Liverpool goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48 following a car crash, the Austrian Football Association has confirmed.
The tragic news of his sudden passing has prompted a wave of tributes from across the global football community.
He is best remembered by English football fans for a highly successful five-year spell in north London under Arsene Wenger.
Premier League and FA Cup success
The talented shot-stopper made 39 appearances for the Gunners between 1997 and 2002.
During that period, the Austrian international played a crucial role in helping Arsenal secure both the Premier League title and the FA Cup.
He famously stepped in for regular number one David Seaman during the historic 1997-98 double-winning campaign, keeping a series of vital clean sheets.
Final playing days at Anfield
Following a nomadic career across Europe, the veteran keeper returned to England to join Liverpool for the 2016-17 season.
Although he did not make a competitive appearance for the Merseyside club, he provided experienced cover for Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
The former title-winner officially announced his retirement from professional football shortly after his brief stint at Anfield.