-
Lionel Messi has reportedly reached an agreement in principle to acquire 100% of Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense.
-
The takeover would make Eldense the first professional Spanish club owned by Messi.
-
The deal still requires due diligence, completion of legal procedures and approval from Spain’s Higher Sports Council.
-
Messi already has a controlling stake in fifth-tier side UE Cornellà and is expanding his influence in football beyond the pitch.
September 09, (THEWILL) — Lionel Messi is preparing to take another major step into football ownership, with the Argentina superstar reportedly reaching an agreement in principle to acquire Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense.
The proposed takeover would see Messi acquire 100% of the shares currently held by Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group, making him the sole owner of the Alicante-based club if the transaction is completed.
Spanish reports, including Marca and AS, say negotiations have been ongoing for some time, while Reuters has also reported that the agreement is now at an advanced stage. The deal remains subject to final legal and contractual procedures, including due diligence and approval from Spain’s Higher Sports Council (CSD).
Messi Moves Into Professional Club Ownership
The Eldense takeover would represent a significant expansion of Messi’s growing football business interests.
The 39-year-old already acquired a controlling stake in UE Cornellà earlier this year. The Catalan club competes in Spain’s Tercera Federación, the country’s fifth tier, and the CSD approved Messi’s acquisition of 85.05% of its capital in April.
Eldense, however, would represent a completely different level of operation.
The club competes in LaLiga Hypermotion, Spain’s second division, putting Messi directly into the ownership of a professional football side with ambitions of eventually reaching the top flight.
It would also be Messi’s first ownership venture involving a professional Spanish club.
Eldense Deal Comes at a Difficult Moment
While Messi’s arrival would generate enormous attention, Eldense are currently experiencing a difficult start to the season.
The club have collected only two points from their opening four league matches and are yet to record a victory. They recently dismissed manager Claudio Barragán following the poor run of results.
That means Messi could inherit a club requiring immediate sporting and organisational attention.
The potential takeover also comes after Eldense returned to Spain’s second tier, making the club an attractive project for an investor looking to build a long-term football operation.
Local officials have welcomed the prospect of Messi’s involvement, although Elda mayor Rubén Alfaro has stressed the need for caution until the transaction is formally completed.
A Deal Without Other Superstars
Earlier speculation suggested the takeover could involve other high-profile former Barcelona figures, but those reports have since been overtaken by the latest information.
Messi is now expected to pursue the Eldense purchase on his own, without third-party partners.
The Elda mayor’s office confirmed that Messi’s representatives had communicated the existence of an agreement in principle to acquire the club individually.
If completed, Messi would therefore have direct control of a professional club rather than simply holding a minority investment.
READ ALSO:
Messi’s Football Empire Is Growing
The Eldense deal fits into a broader shift in Messi’s career as he approaches the later stages of his playing days.
His football influence is no longer limited to what happens on the pitch.
Alongside his Cornellà investment, Messi has been linked to football projects involving his family and close friend Luis Suárez, while his relationship with Inter Miami could eventually develop into an ownership role after his playing career in Major League Soccer ends.
The Eldense purchase would therefore give Messi a stronger foothold in the European football market while he remains an active player in the United States.
It also places him among a growing group of elite footballers who have begun preparing for life in football after their playing careers.
From Barcelona Legend to Club Owner
Messi spent the majority of his career at Barcelona before moving to Paris Saint-Germain and eventually Inter Miami.
His next chapter is increasingly taking shape away from the football pitch.
Rather than simply investing in established clubs, Messi appears to be building a portfolio that includes teams at different levels of the football pyramid.
Eldense would be the most significant of those projects yet.
The challenge now will be turning the attention that comes with Messi’s name into sustainable sporting and commercial growth for a club currently fighting near the bottom of Spain’s second tier.
For Eldense, the potential arrival of one of football’s most recognisable figures could change the club’s trajectory.
For Messi, it could be the beginning of an entirely new legacy — one built not only on goals, trophies and Ballon d’Ors, but on ownership and influence from the boardroom.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
