Lionel Messi is expanding his club ownership footprint in Spanish football by reaching an agreement in principle to acquire a majority stake in CD Eldense, a second-division club based near Alicante, according to confirmations given to AFP.
An Agreement in Principle for CD Eldense
The deal, which was confirmed by a club spokesperson to AFP, centers on the purchase of shares currently held by the investment group TH Soluciones. If finalized, the transaction will install the Argentina captain as the majority shareholder of the Segunda División side. The club is located in Elda, near the port city of Alicante in southeastern Spain.
Despite the formal confirmation of an agreement in principle, exact financial figures of the takeover have been withheld by the club. Furthermore, neither party has released a definitive timeline for when the transaction will be formally completed.
Regulatory Hurdles and Legal Approvals
The prospective takeover is not yet absolute. According to the statements provided by CD Eldense, the operation remains strictly dependent on the completion of final legal and contractual steps. In addition, the transfer of majority control requires formal authorization from the Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD), Spain’s highest state sports authority.
Expanding Footprint in Spanish Football
This move represents Messi’s second venture into Spanish club ownership within a single year. In April, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion took control of CE L’Hospitalet or similar lower-tier operations—specifically noted in reports as taking charge of the club of Cornellà in the fourth division of Spanish football.
At 39 years old, Messi currently plays in Major League Soccer for Inter Miami, having joined the Florida-based franchise in 2023. Media reports have indicated that his MLS contract includes provisions for a future ownership stake in the club once he concludes his playing career.
A Transition to Post-Playing Ventures
Following Argentina’s campaign at the 2026 World Cup, where the Albiceleste reached the final before falling to Spain, Messi announced the end of his international career with the national team.
As legal and administrative reviews proceed in Spain, the final validation of the Eldense acquisition rests with the country’s sports council.
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