Lionel Messi Acquires Spanish Second-Division Club CD Eldense

Inter Miami and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi has officially taken over Spanish second-division side CD Eldense, the club confirmed on Thursday (Oct 1). 

The acquisition expands the 39-year-old football legend's growing portfolio of football club investments across Europe and South America, reports ESPN.

The Alicante-based club was previously owned by the Colombian investment group Grupo TH, which maintains football investments in Colombia and Switzerland. 

In an official statement, CD Eldense hailed the arrival of one of sports history's most prominent figures into Spanish professional football, noting that the takeover marks the beginning of a long-term project aimed at driving the club's sporting, institutional, and social development. 

The transaction remains subject to final regulatory approval from Spain's National Sports Council (CSD).

The takeover marks Messi’s second club acquisition in Spain and his first entry into the country’s professional tiers. 

Earlier this year, Messi confirmed the purchase of Barcelona-based fifth-division side Cornellà, which operates at a semi-professional level. 

Beyond his ventures in Spain, Messi is also partially involved alongside Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez in Uruguayan club Deportivo LSM.

While the three-division separation between Eldense and Cornellà prevents immediate regulatory conflicts, potential future promotions could present regulatory challenges. 

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) typically prohibits two teams under the same majority ownership structure from competing in the same division.

Founded in 1921, CD Eldense has historically operated outside the top tiers of Spanish football. 

The club achieved promotion to the second tier in 2023 for the first time since 1964, suffered relegation in 2025, and secured a return to the second division this past summer.

Messi's takeover comes during a turbulent period for the club, which plays its home fixtures at the 5,776-capacity Nuevo Pepico Amat stadium in Elda. 

Following an winless start through their first four matches of the current campaign, head coach Claudio Barragán was dismissed earlier this week, leaving the squad temporarily managerless. 

This transaction represents the third ownership change for the club within the past year.