Football superstar Lionel Messi is reportedly close to expanding his growing football ownership portfolio after reaching an agreement in principle to acquire Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense.
According to reports from Spain, Messi has agreed to purchase the shares held by Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group S.A.S., which currently controls the club. The proposed transaction remains subject to legal procedures and approval from Spain’s High Council for Sports.
The development would mark another significant step in Messi’s transition from football superstar to club owner. The Argentine recently acquired Spanish lower-league side UE Cornellà, making the potential Eldense takeover his second investment in Spanish football this year.
Eldense, based in Elda in Alicante, currently competes in Spain’s Segunda División. The club has spent several recent seasons in the second tier after returning to that level in 2023 following decades in the lower divisions.
The proposed takeover has generated interest because of Messi’s enormous global profile and his long-standing connection with Spanish football. Having spent 17 years at Barcelona, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains one of the most influential figures in the sport.
For Eldense, a Messi-led ownership structure could potentially provide greater international visibility and create new commercial opportunities. However, the immediate sporting challenge remains significant, with the club reportedly struggling near the bottom of the Segunda División table and having recently changed managers.
The move also highlights Messi’s growing interest in football beyond playing. He currently represents Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and is expected to receive an ownership stake in the club after his playing contract ends.
