Messi to add Spanish club Eldense to his football portfolio
Lionel Messi has agreed in principle to acquire Spanish second-division club CD Eldense, pending legal and regulatory approvals. The deal would give the Argentine star majority ownership of a second Spanish club, following his purchase of UE Cornella earlier this year. Eldense currently sits 20th in the Segunda standings.
The transaction involves purchasing all shares currently held by TH Soluciones Group SAS, the Colombian firm that took control of Eldense last October. The deal remains subject to due diligence and approval from Spain's High Council for Sports, with no fixed completion date announced.
This follows Messi's earlier purchase of fifth-tier UE Cornella in April. The 39-year-old Inter Miami forward is also slated to gain an ownership stake in his current MLS club after his playing contract ends. Eldense, currently 20th in the second division, recently climbed from regional leagues.
This move could deepen Messi's influence across European football's lower tiers, potentially reshaping club finances and youth development strategies. Local communities in Elda may see increased investment and visibility, though the club's precarious league position suggests immediate sporting risks. The pattern of athletes acquiring multiple clubs may also prompt regulatory scrutiny regarding ownership concentration and competitive integrity within Spanish football's pyramid.