Lionel Messi Set for Stunning Move Into Spanish Football Ownership
The Argentine superstar has reached an agreement in principle to take over a Spanish club and expand the football business project he already started in Catalonia.
Lionel Messi is close to significantly expanding his business interests in football. The Argentine superstar has reached an agreement in principle to acquire CD Eldense, a newly promoted club in Spain’s second division, although several steps remain before the deal can be officially completed.
According to the available information, Messi would acquire 100% of the club’s shares without any third-party involvement, making him Eldense’s controlling owner. The move would mark his entry into Spanish professional football ownership after acquiring UE Cornellà, currently competing in the Catalan Tercera Federación, earlier this year.
The takeover remains subject to final legal and contractual procedures, including the required due diligence process. The deal will also need approval from Spain’s Consejo Superior de Deportes before it can be finalized, something that could happen in the coming days if no obstacles emerge.
A Project Built for Life After His Playing Career
The move reflects Messi’s intention to begin investing part of his legacy and resources back into football. Eldense represents an intriguing opportunity as a recently promoted club with significant room to grow within the Spanish football pyramid.
Location could also play a role in the project. The club is based in Elda, in the province of Alicante, relatively close to Catalonia, a region with which Messi maintains deep ties after spending almost his entire European career with Barcelona.
The Argentine remains an Inter Miami player, but his growing investments in Spain are beginning to offer a glimpse into what his future after retirement could look like. Buying Eldense would represent a significant step up from his investment in Cornellà, with the Alicante club already competing in professional football.
Messi Emerges Amid Eldense Ownership Changes
CD Eldense has already experienced significant changes behind the scenes over the past year. In October 2025, an international investment group led by businessman Juan Carlos Trujillo acquired the club from Pascual Pérez.
Argentine businessman Ricardo Pini had also recently emerged as a potential buyer. Reports suggested a possible deal worth around €12 million, but Messi’s arrival on the scene has dramatically changed the situation.
If the agreement clears all the remaining reviews and approvals, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner would take complete control of Eldense, quickly establishing another major role for himself within the football industry.
A Potential Revolution Amid a Sporting Crisis
Messi’s potential arrival as owner comes at a particularly difficult moment for Eldense on the pitch. The team have collected only two points from their opening four league matches, a poor start that has already triggered their first major decision of the season.
The club dismissed Claudio Barragán on Monday, making him the first second-division manager to lose his job this season. Eldense have yet to announce his replacement and desperately need to turn things around to prevent their return to the division from becoming a season-long relegation battle.
That means the potential takeover could represent much more than simply a change in ownership. The arrival of a global figure of Messi’s stature would immediately transform the club’s profile, expectations and potential for growth, although the transaction must first be completed before any new era can officially begin.
The Keys to Messi’s Potential Eldense Takeover
- An agreement in principle is in place: Messi is negotiating to become the owner of CD Eldense, but the transaction has not yet been finalized.
- He would take full control: the Argentine is expected to acquire 100% of the club’s shares without third-party involvement.
- Important steps remain: the takeover is subject to due diligence and approval from Spain’s Consejo Superior de Deportes.
- His football business portfolio is growing: after acquiring UE Cornellà, Eldense would represent Messi’s move into Spanish professional football ownership.
