Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has taken another monumental step in his transition into club ownership. The 39-year-old Inter Miami captain reached an agreement in principle to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense. The transaction marks Messi’s first takeover of a fully professional Spanish football club as he systematically builds a multi-club sports network across Europe and the Americas.
Details of the Takeover Deal
Under the terms of the agreement, Messi will acquire all equity held by majority shareholder TH Soluciones Group SAS, a Colombian investment firm that took charge of the Alicante-based team in late 2025. Official confirmation from the club acknowledged that while contractual terms are finalized, the deal remains subject to final legal due diligence and authorization from Spain's High Council for Sports (CSD). Once ratified by Spanish sports regulators, the transaction will hand complete control of the historic club directly to the legendary forward.
Expanding Football Empire in Spain
This move represents Messi's second major Spanish football acquisition in 2026. In April, the former Barcelona icon secured a 100 percent stake in fifth-tier outfit UE Cornellà, a semi-professional side renowned for its renowned youth academy. By stepping up to CD Eldense in LaLiga 2 (Segunda División), Messi gains immediate influence in Spain’s professional ranks. Beyond Spain, Messi holds stakes in Uruguayan third-division team Deportivo LSM alongside Luis Suárez and possesses post-playing equity options with Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami.
Strategic Impact and What Lies Ahead
CD Eldense, based in Elda near Alicante, has experienced a rapid rise from regional leagues to Segunda División over recent seasons. However, the club currently faces on-pitch challenges, lingering near the bottom of the league standings following an early-season managerial departure.
For Eldense, Messi's arrival promises financial security, commercial global visibility, and potential access to world-class sporting expertise. With Messi nearing the conclusion of his active playing career in Major League Soccer, this venture highlights his long-term ambition to establish a permanent administrative and institutional presence in Spanish football.