Lionel Messi has reached a preliminary agreement to become the majority shareholder of Spanish second-division side CD Eldense. The move marks a significant expansion of the Argentine superstar’s growing football ownership portfolio and confirms that Messi agrees to buy a second Spanish club only months after acquiring Catalan outfit UE Cornellà.
Eldense confirmed the development in an official statement, noting that a preliminary agreement has been reached with Messi for the acquisition of shares currently held by Grupo TH Soluciones. Once completed, the deal would make the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner the club’s majority owner. The transaction remains subject to remaining legal and contractual procedures, including due diligence, as well as mandatory authorisation from Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD).
Why Eldense Represents a Major Step for Messi
CD Eldense, based in the town of Elda in Alicante province, competes in La Liga 2. The club currently sits near the bottom of the table after collecting just two points from its opening four matches of the season. Earlier this week, Eldense parted ways with head coach Claudio Barragán following the disappointing start.
Founded in 1921, Eldense has spent most of its history outside Spain’s top two divisions. The side earned promotion to the second tier in recent years and returned to La Liga 2 after a brief relegation. Acquiring a professional club at this level represents a clear step up from Messi’s previous Spanish investment.
In April 2026, Messi formalised the purchase of UE Cornellà, a fifth-tier Catalan club known for its youth development work. Cornellà has produced talents including Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and former Barcelona and Inter Miami defender Jordi Alba. Club officials at the time emphasised that Messi’s involvement reinforced his long-standing ties to the Barcelona region and his commitment to developing local talent in Catalonia.
With Eldense, Messi moves into professional Spanish football ownership for the first time. The club plays its home matches at the Estadio Municipal Nuevo Pepico Amat and maintains a modest but dedicated local following.
Building a Growing Ownership Portfolio
This latest move forms part of a broader pattern. Beyond the two Spanish clubs, Messi holds a stake alongside Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez in Uruguayan side Deportivo LSM. He is also expected to receive equity in Inter Miami once his playing contract expires. At 39, and after recently retiring from international duty following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, Messi appears to be carefully positioning himself for life after his playing career.
The timing is notable. Messi continues to feature for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer while expanding his off-field interests in the country where he spent the majority of his professional life. He arrived in Spain as a teenager to join Barcelona’s academy and went on to become the club’s all-time leading scorer and appearance maker before departing in 2021.
Observers note that owning clubs at different levels of the Spanish pyramid could present future challenges under federation rules if both sides ever seek to compete in the same division. For now, the three-division gap between Eldense and Cornellà removes any immediate conflict.
What the Deal Means for Eldense and Spanish Football
Eldense’s current owners, the Colombian investment group Grupo TH Soluciones, took control of the club in late 2025. The group’s decision to sell follows a period of transition for the side. Messi’s involvement is widely expected to bring both financial stability and heightened visibility.
Supporters and local officials have reacted positively to the prospect of the global superstar taking a majority stake. A successful takeover could attract new investment in infrastructure, youth development, and first-team recruitment. It also raises the possibility of improved competitiveness in La Liga 2, where promotion to the top flight remains a long-term ambition for many clubs of Eldense’s size.
The broader context includes other high-profile player-owners in Spanish football. Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s long-time rival, acquired a stake in fellow second-division side Almería earlier in 2026. The two clubs already share a league and could meet again later in the season, adding an intriguing off-pitch dimension to their historic rivalry.
Looking Ahead: Next Steps and Potential Impact
Finalisation of the Eldense deal is expected in the coming days or weeks once due diligence concludes and CSD approval is secured. Messi has not issued a personal statement on the matter at the time of writing, though the club’s confirmation leaves little doubt about the seriousness of the negotiations.
For online readers following football business developments, the story underscores a clear trend. Elite players increasingly view club ownership as a natural extension of their careers. Messi’s approach so far has combined emotional ties to Catalonia with a pragmatic move into professional Spanish football via Eldense.
If completed, the acquisition will give Lionel Messi majority control of two Spanish clubs and further cement his status as both a playing legend and an emerging figure in football ownership. Eldense supporters now wait to see how the arrival of one of the game’s greatest players will shape the club’s next chapter on and off the pitch.
The preliminary agreement already generates significant interest across Spanish and international media. As the remaining formalities progress, attention will turn to the practical changes Messi’s ownership may bring—ranging from coaching appointments to long-term strategic planning. For a club that has spent decades operating largely in the shadows of Spain’s bigger sides, the potential arrival of Messi offers a rare opportunity to raise its profile and ambitions in equal measure.
In summary, Messi’s decision to pursue a second Spanish club reflects both personal connection and business foresight. Eldense stands on the verge of a transformative ownership change, while the football world watches closely to see how one of the sport’s most decorated figures transitions further into the boardroom.
