Lionel Messi Acquires Spanish Second Division Club Eldense

Lionel Messi Takes Over Spanish Segunda Division Team Eldense

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has officially purchased Spanish second division side Eldense, marking his first stake in a professional football club in Spain.

Messi’s New Football Venture in Spain

The Argentine captain has completed the acquisition of Eldense, a club based in Alicante. The takeover was confirmed on Thursday, representing a major step in the 39-year-old’s expanding business activities beyond the pitch.

Previously, Eldense was owned by Colombian investment group Grupo TH, who also have interests in clubs across Colombia and Switzerland. This latest transaction marks Eldense’s third change of ownership within just one year.

The deal still awaits approval from Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD). Once authorized, it will usher in an ambitious new chapter for the Spanish second division club.

A First Professional Spanish Club for Messi

This purchase is notable since Eldense is the first fully professional Spanish team that Messi has invested in. Earlier this year, he acquired fifth-division Cornella, but that club remains semi-professional.

In their official statement, Eldense expressed great enthusiasm about their famous new owner and the potential impact on the club’s future.

"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 said.

History and Ownership Challenges

Founded in 1921, Eldense has mostly played outside the top two tiers of Spanish football. Their home ground is the modest Estadio Nuevo Pepico Amat in Elda, which holds 5,776 spectators.

The club earned promotion to the second division in 2023 after decades, dropped back down in 2025, and then returned to the second tier this summer. Outside Spain, Messi also holds a stake in Uruguayan club Deportivo LSM, partnering with his Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez.

Owning both Eldense and Cornella should not cause immediate problems because they are separated by three divisions. Still, if Cornella climbs the ranks, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) would likely block them from playing in the same league under Messi’s majority ownership.

Current Club Situation and Next Steps

Eldense is facing challenges on the field, having not won any of their first four matches this season. This poor run led to the firing of head coach Claudio Barragan earlier this week, leaving the club without a manager amid the takeover process.

The key priority now is obtaining formal clearance from the CSD to finalize the acquisition. At the same time, Eldense’s new leadership needs to appoint a new head coach to stabilize the team’s performance going forward.

• Club: Eldense
• League: Spanish Segunda Division
• Stadium: Estadio Nuevo Pepico Amat
• Capacity: 5,776
• Previous Owner: Grupo TH
• New Owner: Lionel Messi
• Year Founded: 1921
• Recent League Movement: Promoted to Segunda 2023, relegated 2025, promoted 2026
• Current Manager Status: Vacant after Claudio Barragan dismissal