Messi’s Influence Extends Beyond the Pitch
Lionel Messi has quickly made his mark on social media just a week after acquiring UE Cornella, propelling the club into the spotlight and positioning it among the top 10 most-followed teams in La Liga. The fifth-division club, previously unknown to many outside of Catalonia, has seen an unprecedented surge in online engagement thanks to Messi’s ownership.
The news of the acquisition was announced on Thursday, March 16, when Cornella released a statement confirming the deal. “With this operation, Messi strengthens his close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalunya,” the statement read on the club’s official website. This move not only solidified Messi’s connection to his hometown but also signaled a new chapter for the small club.
Before the announcement, Cornella’s Instagram account had around 40,000 followers, which is impressive for a team competing in the fifth tier. However, within a week of the news, the number skyrocketed past half a million, reaching 592,000 followers. This represents more than ten times the previous total and highlights the massive impact of Messi’s involvement.
A Rapid Rise in Social Media Presence
To understand the scale of this growth, consider that Cornella now has a following larger than every club in the second tier and several teams in La Liga itself. The club has surpassed Deportivo Alaves (240K), Levante UD (371K), Rayo Vallecano (376K), Real Oviedo (388K), CA Osasuna (410K), Elche CF (472K), RCD Mallorca (489K), RCD Espanyol (549K), and even Getafe CF (565K). Only Celta de Vigo (669K) and Girona (1.1M) remain ahead of Cornella among smaller La Liga clubs.
Here is a list of the top 10 most-followed La Liga teams on Instagram:
- Real Madrid — 182M
- Barcelona — 147M
- Atlético de Madrid — 18M
- Sevilla — 3.6M
- Real Betis — 3M
- Villarreal — 1.7M
- Valencia — 1.4M
- Athletic Bilbao — 1.6M
- Real Sociedad — 1.2M
- Girona — 1.1M
Growing Media Attention
With three games remaining in the regular season and currently sitting third with 56 points in 31 games, Cornella is expected to push for automatic promotion and a jump to the fourth division. However, Messi’s involvement has also drawn significant media attention.
In the first match played since the announcement, a 1-1 draw against Fundacio Esportiva Grama at the Nou Municipal de Cornella this past Sunday, the club saw a noticeable increase in both attendance and press coverage. According to Mundo Deportivo, the number of accredited media outlets present rose from the usual three to 15, showcasing how dramatically Messi’s name has elevated the profile of this small Catalan club.
Additional Reading
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