Lionel Messi Set to Buy Spanish Football Club CD Eldens
Lionel Messi is reportedly on the verge of completing another major move in the world of football, with the Argentina superstar set to acquire Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense.
According to reports from Spain, Messi has reached an agreement in principle to take control of the club, marking another significant step in his growing involvement in football ownership.
The proposed takeover would see Messi acquire the shares currently held by the club’s existing ownership group. The transaction is yet to be formally completed, as it still has to go through the necessary legal and regulatory procedures in Spain.
Messi agrees deal for Eldense
The reports indicate that Messi has agreed in principle to purchase the shares of Eldense from Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group S.A.S., which took control of the club in October 2025.
If the transaction is completed, Messi would become the owner of one of Spain’s professional football clubs and would have direct control over Eldense’s future sporting and business direction.
The deal is expected to be formally announced after the remaining procedures are completed.
Spain’s High Council for Sports (CSD) must also approve the transaction before it can be fully concluded.
The development has generated considerable attention in Spain because of Messi’s global reputation and his long association with Spanish football.
Who are CD Eldense?
CD Eldense are based in Elda, a city in the Alicante province of eastern Spain.
The club has spent much of its history competing outside the top levels of Spanish football but has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years.
Eldense returned to the Segunda División and have established themselves as a team capable of competing at Spain’s second level.
Their rise has attracted increased interest from investors looking to develop the club and strengthen its position within the Spanish football system.
A takeover by Messi could potentially provide the club with an even greater international profile.
Messi expanding his football investments
The possible Eldense takeover is not Messi’s first move into Spanish club ownership this year.
The Inter Miami forward also acquired control of UE Cornellà in April 2026. Cornellà compete in the lower divisions of Spanish football, making the Eldense deal a further expansion of Messi’s football investment portfolio.
Messi’s involvement in club ownership reflects a growing interest among famous footballers in building businesses and investments around the sport after, or even during, their playing careers.
The Argentine has already spent much of his career building a global brand that extends beyond his achievements on the pitch.
His move into football ownership could eventually see him become involved in areas such as club development, youth football, recruitment, infrastructure and commercial growth.
Eldense facing difficult start to the season
Messi’s potential arrival comes at an interesting time for Eldense.
The club have endured a difficult opening to the current campaign and are currently near the bottom of the Segunda División table.
According to reports, Eldense had collected only two points from their opening four league matches, having recorded two defeats and two draws.
The club also recently parted ways with manager Claudio Barragán following the poor start.
That means Messi could potentially inherit a club that requires significant work both on and off the pitch.
Improving the team’s sporting performance will likely be one of the major challenges facing the new ownership if the takeover is completed.
Messi reportedly buying the club alone
Earlier reports had suggested that Messi could potentially be involved in an investment group alongside former Barcelona stars Andrés Iniesta and Carles Puyol.
However, subsequent reports indicate that the Eldense takeover would be a solo investment by Messi.
Elda mayor Rubén Alfaro confirmed that Messi’s representatives had reached an agreement in principle to acquire the club, while stressing that the transaction still needs to be formally completed.
The development has been welcomed locally because of the potential international exposure that Messi’s involvement could bring to the club and the city of Elda.
What Messi’s ownership could mean for Eldense
If the acquisition goes through, Messi’s presence could transform the profile of CD Eldense.
The club would instantly gain enormous international attention because of the Argentine’s worldwide popularity.
Beyond publicity, supporters will be watching to see whether the new ownership invests in the squad, academy, training facilities and other areas needed to help the club compete at a higher level.
However, owning a football club is very different from playing for one.
Eldense’s sporting performance, finances and long-term development would require a professional management structure capable of turning investment into sustainable growth.
For Messi, the project could also provide valuable experience as he develops his interests away from simply being a footballer.
Another chapter in Messi’s post-playing career
Messi remains one of the biggest names in world football and continues to play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
His growing involvement in club ownership suggests that his connection with football could continue long after his playing career eventually comes to an end.
The Eldense project would give him another opportunity to build something within Spanish football, a country where he spent the majority of his legendary career with Barcelona.
For many fans, the idea of Messi becoming a club owner in Spain is particularly interesting because of his historic connection with Spanish football.
While the acquisition has not yet been fully completed, the agreement in principle represents a major development for both Messi and Eldense.
The remaining legal and regulatory procedures will determine when the takeover can officially be concluded.
If approved, Lionel Messi would add CD Eldense to his growing football investment portfolio and begin a new chapter in his relationship with the Spanish game.
