Lionel Messi has reached a preliminary agreement to acquire Eldense, a Spanish second-division club based in Alicante, according to reports from Marca on Tuesday. The deal would see the Argentine legend take full ownership of the club's shares with no external investors involved, marking a significant expansion of his growing presence in Spanish professional football ownership.
This acquisition follows Messi's purchase of Cornellà earlier this year, a Catalan third-division outfit that demonstrated his commitment to building a football portfolio beyond his playing career at Inter Miami. The 37-year-old has made clear his intention to invest his sporting legacy directly into the game itself, establishing a foothold in Spanish football ahead of his eventual retirement from active competition.
Timeline and Regulatory Approval
Completion of the Eldense deal is expected within days once final legal procedures, contractual negotiations, and financial due diligence are finalized. The Spanish National Sports Council must also greenlight the transaction before it becomes official. Eldense, recently promoted to the second division, sits strategically close to Catalonia, where Messi plans to reside after hanging up his boots.
The club's recent history reflects turbulent ownership changes. An international investment group with Colombian roots, led by businessman Juan Carlos Trujillo, purchased Eldense from Pascual Pérez in October 2015. Earlier this year, Argentine businessman Ricardo Beni was also linked with a potential takeover valued around 12 million euros.
On-Pitch Struggles Demand Attention
Eldense faces immediate sporting challenges that will require Messi's investment to deliver results. The club sacked manager Claudio Barragán on Monday, becoming the first managerial casualty in Spain's second division this season. With just two points from four league matches and no replacement appointed, the team sits in crisis territory as the campaign progresses.
Messi's ownership model—acquiring majority stakes in growing Spanish clubs—represents a calculated diversification into football management and club operations. If the Eldense deal closes successfully, it will establish him as a significant stakeholder in Spanish football's second tier, expanding his influence beyond his playing achievements and setting the stage for a post-retirement career in sports administration.
