Football icon Lionel Messi is reportedly set to make another major move into football ownership, with the Argentina star reportedly agreeing a deal to buy 100% of Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense. According to reports by Fabrizio Romano, the agreement is still subject to the final legal steps and approval from Spain’s National Sports Council. If completed, Messi would become the sole owner of the Alicante-based club, which currently plays in LaLiga 2. The Eldense deal would be Messi’s second investment in a Spanish club this year. He previously bought 100% of UE Cornellà, a club playing in Spain’s lower divisions.
However, Eldense would be a much bigger step, as the club competes in professional football’s second tier. The move comes at a difficult time for Eldense, who have taken just two points from their opening four league matches and recently parted ways with manager Claudio Barragán. Messi’s latest investment shows his growing interest in football away from the pitch. While the takeover is not officially complete yet, the agreement in principle would give the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner full control of Eldense once the remaining procedures are completed.
Lionel Messi nears CD Eldense takeover while club faces managerial crisis
CD Eldense’s proposed takeover by Lionel Messi comes at a time when the Spanish second-tier club is already looking for a new manager. Messi has reportedly agreed in principle to buy 100% of the club’s shares from the Colombian investment group led by businessman Juan Carlos Trujillo. The deal, however, is not complete yet and still needs to go through legal procedures and approval from Spain’s National Sports Council. The takeover comes after months of speculation about a possible change in ownership.
Argentine businessman Ricardo Pini had also reportedly been linked with a potential deal worth around €12 million. Eldense was previously acquired by the Colombian-led investment group, which took control of the club in 2025. The club is currently dealing with problems both on and off the pitch amidst acquisition reports. Eldense recently dismissed manager Claudio Barragán after collecting only two points from their opening four league matches and is searching for his replacement. The Argentine player’s possible arrival could therefore bring major changes at the club. If completed, the deal would also mark a bigger step in Messi’s growing involvement in Spanish football ownership, following his purchase of third-tier UE Cornellà earlier this year.
