Lionel Messi Takes Ownership of Spanish Second Division Club Eldense

Lionel Messi Acquires Spanish Second Division Club Eldense

Lionel Messi, forward for Inter Miami, has officially become the owner of Spanish second division side Eldense. This marks his first professional club investment in Spain, expanding his football ventures beyond playing.

Details of the Takeover

The Alicante-based club confirmed the takeover recently, signaling a major step in Messi's off-field career. Previously owned by Colombian group Grupo TH, which holds stakes in various clubs across Colombia and Switzerland, this is Eldense's third ownership change in just over a year. The deal still awaits approval from Spain's National Sports Council (CSD), which must clear the acquisition before it becomes official.

Significance of the Purchase

This move is notable because Eldense is the first fully professional Spanish club Messi has invested in. Earlier this year, he purchased fifth-division side Cornella, but that club remains semi-professional. Eldense's statement reflected optimism about Messi's influence, describing his arrival as a turning point aimed at enhancing the club’s sporting, institutional, and social growth.

"The arrival of one of the most significant figures in sports history into Spanish professional football as the owner of CD Eldense signals the beginning of a long-term project aimed at driving the club's sporting, institutional, and social development," the club declared.

Club History and Ownership Challenges

Founded in 1921, Eldense has mostly played outside Spain's top two tiers. Their home ground is the modest Estadio Nuevo Pepico Amat with a capacity of 5,776 seats in Elda city. After a promotion to the second tier in 2023—their first since 1964—they were relegated in 2025 but returned to the division this summer.

Messi also partly owns Uruguayan club Deportivo LSM alongside teammate Luis Suarez from Inter Miami. Owning both Eldense and Cornella likely won't cause immediate conflicts due to the three-division gap. Yet, if Cornella climbs higher, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) probably won't allow both clubs under Messi's control to compete in the same division.

Current Club Situation and Next Steps

Eldense faces a challenging start this season, failing to win any of their first four league matches. This poor run led to the recent sacking of head coach Claudio Barragan. At present, the club operates without a manager while the takeover advances.

The next important phase involves securing formal clearance from the CSD to finalize the deal. Meanwhile, the new leadership must quickly find a head coach to improve on-pitch results.

• Previous Owner: Grupo TH (Colombian investment group)
• Founded: 1921
• Stadium: Estadio Nuevo Pepico Amat (Capacity: 5,776)
• Recent League Performance: Promoted to Segunda División in 2023, relegated 2025, promoted again in 2026
• Current Season Start: No wins in first four matches
• Head Coach Status: Claudio Barragan dismissed; vacancy ongoing