Lionel Messi is preparing to take a much bigger step into football ownership, with the Argentina and Inter Miami star reportedly agreeing in principle to acquire 100% of Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense.
The proposed takeover, reported by Spanish media and confirmed to news agencies by sources familiar with the operation, would give Messi full control of the club based in Elda, Alicante. The transaction has not yet been completed and remains subject to legal, contractual and regulatory requirements.
Reports from Spain say Messi’s representatives have been negotiating with the Colombian investment group TH, which acquired Eldense in 2025. If the transaction goes through as expected, Messi would become the club’s sole owner rather than joining a consortium of investors.
Eldense return to Spain’s second tier
The timing of the proposed acquisition is notable because Eldense have only just returned to Spain’s second division.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed in May that Eldense won Group 2 of Primera Federación, securing direct promotion to the second tier. The club finished the 2025-26 campaign at the top of its group and returned to Segunda División for the 2026-27 season.
Eldense’s promotion came after a particularly strong home campaign. According to the RFEF, the club collected 48 points from 19 home matches, winning 15 of them and losing only once.
The club now finds itself under the spotlight for reasons extending well beyond its performances on the pitch.
Why the takeover is not complete yet
The reported agreement is a preliminary step rather than a completed sale.
Spanish sports regulations require prior approval from the Consejo Superior de Deportes, or CSD, when an investor seeks to acquire more than 25% of a Sociedad Anónima Deportiva (SAD). The CSD says such an acquisition requires identification of the buyer and seller, details of the proposed shareholding and other documentation before approval can be granted.
That means the reported agreement between Messi and Eldense’s current owners still has regulatory hurdles to clear.
Reports also indicate that due diligence and other contractual formalities must be completed before the deal can formally close. Spanish outlet EFE reported on September 8 that the agreement in principle had been reached, while Cadena SER separately reported that the transaction could be formalised in the coming days.
A new chapter in Messi’s football business
The Eldense deal would mark a significant expansion of Messi’s activities away from playing.
Messi already acquired an interest in Spanish club UE Cornellà earlier in 2026, according to multiple reports. Cornellà competes several levels below Eldense, making the proposed takeover of a second-division side a considerably larger football investment.
The move also comes while Messi remains an active professional footballer with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. His growing involvement in club ownership suggests that his connection to football is increasingly extending beyond his playing career.
For Eldense, the proposed change in ownership arrives at a challenging sporting moment. The club has struggled for results at the beginning of the 2026-27 campaign and recently parted ways with coach Claudio Barragán, according to Spanish reports.
What Messi’s ownership could mean for Eldense
It is too early to say what sporting or financial strategy Messi would adopt if the acquisition is completed.
A change in ownership could potentially bring greater international visibility to a club that has traditionally operated outside Spain’s top flight. Messi’s global profile would also give Eldense considerably more exposure in international football markets.
But ownership alone does not guarantee sporting success. Eldense would still have to navigate the financial, sporting and regulatory demands of Spain’s professional game.
For now, the clearest development is that Messi is moving closer to taking control of the club. The final outcome depends on the completion of the remaining procedures and the required regulatory approval.
If those steps are completed, the four-time Ballon d’Or winner will have added a Spanish second-tier club to a football portfolio that is increasingly becoming part of his post-playing business career.
What has Lionel Messi agreed to buy?
Messi has reportedly reached an agreement in principle to acquire 100% of CD Eldense, a Spanish club competing in the country’s second division. The transaction is not yet fully completed.
Where is CD Eldense based?
CD Eldense is based in Elda, in Alicante province, Spain. The club plays its home matches at the Nuevo Pepico Amat stadium.
Is Messi already the owner of Eldense?
Not yet. Reports say an agreement in principle has been reached, but legal, contractual and regulatory procedures still have to be completed.
Why does the Spanish sports authority need to approve the deal?
Spain’s CSD requires prior approval for acquisitions that result in an investor holding 25% or more of the voting rights of a Sociedad Anónima Deportiva.
Has Messi invested in another Spanish club?
Yes. Reports say Messi acquired an interest in UE Cornellà earlier in 2026.
What division does Eldense play in?
Eldense are competing in Spain’s second division, commonly known as Segunda División or LaLiga Hypermotion, after securing promotion from Primera Federación in 2026.
Has Messi’s takeover been officially completed?
No. The current reporting describes an agreement in principle, with due diligence, contractual procedures and CSD approval still required.
