Lionel Messi continues to build his post-playing career as a club owner, with reports indicating he has agreed in principle to acquire full ownership of CD Eldense, a Spanish second-division club. The deal, expected to be announced in the coming days, would see the Colombian investment group T.H. Soluciones S.A.S., which purchased the club in October 2025, transfer its entire stake to Messi. The transaction remains subject to approval from Spain’s Higher Sports Council.
Messi’s Growing Football Portfolio
This latest acquisition follows Messi’s purchase of UE Cornella, a fifth-tier Spanish club, on April 16. Additionally, he is set to receive a stake in Inter Miami once his playing contract with the Major League Soccer team concludes. These moves highlight Messi’s strategic investments in football clubs across different levels and regions.
CD Eldense: A Club on the Rise
CD Eldense is based in Elda, a city of approximately 55,000 residents in the Alicante province of eastern Spain. Historically, the club has spent most of its existence in lower divisions, but recent investments have propelled it to the second tier for three of the past four seasons. However, the team currently sits 20th out of 22 teams in the league, having earned only two points from their first four matches. This poor start led to the dismissal of coach Claudio Barragán last Sunday.
Awaiting Regulatory Approval
The acquisition is still pending approval from Spain’s sports authorities, which will review the deal to ensure compliance with regulations. Once finalized, Messi will add CD Eldense to his growing list of football ventures, further cementing his influence in the sport beyond his playing days.