Lionel Messi has reached an agreement to purchase Spanish second-division club CD Eldense, marking his second venture into football club ownership. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will acquire 100% of the shares from current majority shareholder TH Soluciones Group S.A.S., a Colombian investment group.
CD Eldense announced the development on Wednesday, confirming that Messi made the bid directly. "At this time, the operation is pending completion of the final legal and contractual procedures, including the corresponding due diligence process, as well as the mandatory authorisation from the High Council for Sports (CSD)," the club said in a statement.
The deal comes nine days after Messi announced his retirement from international football following Argentina's World Cup final against Spain on July 19. The 39-year-old Argentine concluded his international career with 207 appearances, scoring 125 goals and providing 68 assists.
Eldense, based in the city of Elda in Spain's Alicante province, currently sits 20th in the Segunda División standings. The club was founded in 1921 and plays at the Nuevo Pepico Amat stadium. After years in regional divisions, Eldense made history by promoting to Spain's second tier for the first time in 2023.
TH Soluciones Group, led by president Carolina Holguín, acquired Eldense from businessman Pascual Pérez just last October. The Colombian group had owned the club for less than a year before agreeing to sell to Messi.
Spanish media reports suggest the purchase could be finalized within days, though no specific timeline has been provided. According to El Mundo, an official announcement is expected in the coming days.
This marks Messi's second foray into club ownership. Earlier this year on April 16, he purchased UE Cornellà, a Catalonian club that competes in Spain's fifth tier. Cornellà is known for its youth development system and represents Messi's first ownership experience in Spanish football.
The timing of the Eldense acquisition aligns with Messi's transition away from international football. After captaining Argentina to World Cup glory, the Inter Miami star has shifted focus to club-level commitments and business ventures.
Eldense's recent rise through Spanish football's pyramid makes it an intriguing investment. The club spent decades in lower divisions before their historic promotion to the Segunda División. Their current 20th-place position in the 22-team league puts them in the relegation zone, presenting both challenges and opportunities for new ownership.
While Messi continues his playing career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, his expanding ownership portfolio suggests long-term planning for post-playing ventures. The acquisition of clubs in different tiers of Spanish football could provide pathways for player development and strategic partnerships.
The deal still requires approval from Spain's High Council for Sports, the governing body that oversees professional sports in the country. This regulatory step is standard for ownership changes in Spanish football and typically involves financial and legal verification processes.
