Lionel Messi agrees to acquire Spanish second-division club Eldense
In brief
- Messi reaches preliminary agreement to acquire 100% of CD Eldense, Spanish segunda División club
- Eldense purchased from Colombian group TH Soluciones Group S.A.S., which acquired it October 2025
- Club founded 1921; recently earned promotion back to Spain's segunda División
- Deal requires regulatory approval from Spain's High Council for Sports and due diligence
- Messi is sole investor; no former Barcelona teammates involved in transaction
Messi's Ownership Expansion
This is Messi's second club acquisition in just over a year. He acquired UE Cornellà, a fifth-tier Spanish side, back in April 2026. The pattern suggests a deliberate strategy to build a portfolio of Spanish clubs at varying competitive levels.
Eldense, founded in 1921, plays at the Estadio Municipal Nuevo Pepico Amat, a ground with a capacity of 5,776 seats. The club is based in Elda, a city in Alicante province with a population under 60,000. The club boasts roughly 3,500 season-ticket holders, meaning on a good day the stadium is about 60% full.
Eldense recently earned promotion back to the segunda División, Spain's competitive second flight. That timing matters. Eldense recently sacked its manager following a stretch of poor results. That kind of instability typically depresses a club's asking price — a practical consideration for any buyer evaluating the purchase.
Solo Investment, Regulatory Hurdles
"Messi is going it alone. Despite the inevitable speculation, no former Barcelona teammates are involved in the deal."
Messi is the sole investor and owner of Eldense, a notable departure from how some high-profile athletes structure club acquisitions through syndicates or investment groups.
The transaction still faces regulatory hurdles. Due diligence is ongoing, and Spain's High Council for Sports (CSD) must approve the deal before it can be finalized. For Eldense's 3,500 season-ticket holders, the reaction has reportedly been cautious optimism.
Eldense is about to experience its second ownership change in under a year, following the Colombian group's acquisition in late 2025. Whether Messi's arrival stabilizes the club or accelerates its growth remains an open question — but the transaction signals a broader shift in how elite athletes are thinking about sports ownership beyond their playing careers.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Messi buying a second-division Spanish club?
Eldense recently earned promotion to Spain's segunda División and plays in a small market (Elda, population under 60,000). The club's recent managerial instability and modest asking price make it an attractive entry point for ownership. Messi's acquisition of a fifth-tier club (UE Cornellà) in April 2026 suggests a deliberate strategy to build a portfolio of Spanish clubs at different competitive levels.
What regulatory approval is needed for the deal?
Spain's High Council for Sports (CSD) must approve the transaction. Due diligence is also ongoing. The deal cannot close until both hurdles are cleared.
Are any of Messi's former Barcelona teammates involved?
No. Messi is the sole investor and owner of Eldense. Despite speculation about potential partnerships with former teammates, none are involved in the deal.
