Lionel Messi reaches preliminary deal to acquire Spanish club CD Eldense

Terms of the acquisition

Argentine forward Lionel Messi has agreed in principle to purchase 100% of Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense. The transaction involves transferring all shares held by majority owner TH Soluciones Group S.A.S., a Colombian investment group that acquired the club in October 2025. The operation is currently undergoing due diligence and contractual procedures, with an official announcement expected following regulatory clearance. Completion of the sale remains subject to mandatory authorization from Spain's High Council for Sports (CSD).

“A preliminary agreement has been reached with Lionel Messi for the acquisition of the shares currently owned by Grupo TH Soluciones, which would make him the club's majority shareholder.”

On-pitch difficulties and civic reaction

CD Eldense is based in Elda, an Alicante province town of about 55,000 residents in the Valencian Community, and hosts matches at its 5,800-seat stadium. The club earned promotion back to the Segunda División after decades in regional leagues, competing in the second tier in three of the past four seasons. However, the team sits 20th in the table after collecting two points across its opening four league fixtures, with two draws and two losses. Eldense dismissed head coach Claudio Barragan on Sunday following the winless run, appointing assistant coach Josep Ferrando to take interim charge of the first team.

Elda Mayor Ruben Alfaro acknowledged the preliminary agreement and expressed municipal backing for the prospective takeover.

“In any case, we must once again be proud of our city and the football club that represents it. The fact that someone like Leo Messi is interested in us and wants to support both the club and Elda is spectacular news.”

Expanding football ownership portfolio

The prospective purchase represents Messi's second club acquisition in Spanish football. On 16 April 2026, Messi completed the buyout of fifth-tier Catalan club UE Cornella, located 20 minutes southwest of Barcelona. Cornella competes in the Tercera Federación and is recognized for its youth academy, having helped develop Spain internationals Jordi Alba and David Raya as well as defender Gerard Martin. While Cornella focuses primarily on grassroots talent, sources familiar with the Eldense transaction indicate that Messi plans to take an active role in the daily sporting management in Elda once his playing career ends. Under his existing contract, Messi is also set to receive an equity stake in Major League Soccer side Inter Miami after he finishes playing in the United States.

The takeover creates a boardroom matchup in the Segunda División with Cristiano Ronaldo, who acquired a 25% stake in UD Almería via CR7 Sports Investments in February 2026. Almería defeated Eldense 3-0 in their opening match of the season, with the two sides scheduled to play their return fixture on 2 May 2027.

Late career transition and MLS form

The 39-year-old forward recently retired from international football after captaining Argentina to the final of the 2026 World Cup, where they lost 1-0 to Spain. Messi spent the bulk of his professional career in Spain, joining Barcelona's La Masia academy at age 13 before debuting in October 2004. He scored a club record 672 goals in 778 appearances for Barcelona through 2021, later playing two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain before signing with Inter Miami in 2023. In the 2026 MLS season, Messi has registered 18 goals and 10 assists, helping Inter Miami hold second place in the Eastern Conference, 10 points behind Nashville SC.

Goals18

Assists10

Goals

18

Assists

10

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