Messi Agrees To Take Over Spanish Club Eldense

Lionel Messi has reached a preliminary agreement to take over Spanish second-tier club Eldense, potentially adding another professional football club to his growing investment portfolio.

The proposed deal remains subject to due diligence and approval from Spain’s National Sports Council, according to ESPN, which cited a source familiar with the negotiations.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner already owns Spanish fifth-tier side Cornella, which he acquired in April 2026. However, Eldense would represent Messi’s first investment in a professional Spanish club, with Cornella currently operating at semi-professional level.

Eldense are owned by Colombian investment group Grupo TH, which also has interests in clubs in Colombia and Switzerland.

If the transaction is completed, Messi would become the owner of two Spanish clubs. The 39-year-old is also involved, alongside Inter Miami team-mate Luis Suárez, in Uruguayan club Deportivo LSM.

Eldense and Cornella are currently separated by three divisions, meaning their respective ownership structures would not immediately create a competition issue. However, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) would be unlikely to permit both clubs to compete in the same division if Messi becomes the majority shareholder of both.

Founded in 1921, Eldense have spent most of their history outside Spain’s top two divisions. They returned to the second tier in 2023 for the first time since 1964 but were relegated in 2025 before securing an immediate return this summer.

The club have endured a difficult start to the current campaign, failing to win any of their opening four matches. Coach Claudio Barragán was dismissed earlier this week, leaving Eldense without a manager.

The club play their home matches at the 5,776-capacity Nuevo Pepico Amat stadium in Elda.