Messi Reaches Preliminary Deal to Buy Second Spanish Club
Lionel Messi has reached a preliminary agreement to become the majority shareholder of Spanish second-tier club Eldense, pending legal and regulatory approval.
- Messi is set to become the majority shareholder of Eldense.
- The deal would make Eldense the second Spanish club he has invested in.
- The proposed takeover remains subject to due diligence and approval from Spain’s National Sports Council.
Argentina football legend Lionel Messi has reached a preliminary agreement to become the majority shareholder of Spanish second-tier club Eldense.
The 39-year-old is set to expand his involvement in Spanish football after Eldense announced that an agreement had been reached for Messi to acquire shares currently held by Grupo TH Soluciones.
The proposed transaction is, however, still subject to several legal and contractual procedures, including due diligence and approval from Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD).
If completed, Eldense would become the second Spanish club in which Messi has invested. The former Barcelona star acquired a stake in Catalan club Cornella in April.
Eldense, based in Alicante, currently sit 20th in La Liga 2 after collecting just two points from their opening four matches. The club also recently parted ways with head coach Claudio Barragan.
Cornella, meanwhile, compete in the fifth tier of Spanish football. Following Messi’s investment in April, the club said his involvement strengthened his connection with Barcelona and demonstrated his commitment to developing sport and nurturing local talent in Catalonia.
Messi, who currently plays for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, has deep ties to Spain. He moved from Argentina to Spain at the age of 13 and made his Barcelona first-team debut at 17 in October 2004.
During his Barcelona career, Messi scored a club-record 672 goals in 778 appearances before leaving for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. He joined Inter Miami in 2023.
Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022. He recently retired from international football following Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
The potential Eldense investment would also add another chapter to Messi’s rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese star, who plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, acquired a 25% stake in Spanish club Almeria in February.
Eldense said the deal with Messi remains subject to the completion of the necessary procedures and regulatory approval.
