Lionel Messi completes takeover of Segunda Division side Eldense
Lionel Messi has completed the acquisition of Spanish second-tier club Eldense, subject to regulatory approval, the club confirmed on Thursday. The move follows an agreement reached last month to purchase all shares held by a Colombian investment group, Eldense said.
Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami, will become the majority owner of Eldense after the transfer is formalised; the club described his arrival as the start of a long-term project. Founded in 1921, Eldense said the new ownership will prioritise sporting, institutional and social development while preserving the club’s roots and blue-and-maroon identity. The takeover adds to Messi’s involvement in Spanish football this year after he bought fifth-tier UE Cornella in April.
Eldense stated the completion of the deal was confirmed on Thursday and described the purchase in a club release: "Club Deportivo Eldense officially announces the acquisition of the club by Leo Messi, marking the start of a new and exciting chapter in the club's history, which spans more than a hundred years." The agreement last month acquired all shares previously held by a Colombian investment group, which had been the club’s majority shareholder.
Messi’s acquisition of Eldense comes less than six months after his purchase of UE Cornella in April, making Eldense his second Spanish club this year. UE Cornella is a fifth-tier team noted in the statement for its work in grassroots and youth football, and the club noted several players from its academy have gone on to join Barcelona.
On the pitch, Eldense sit 19th in the Segunda Division after losing four of their first seven matches and are fighting to stay in Spain’s second tier. The club said it hoped the change in ownership could provide a boost as it seeks to improve results during the season.
The club acknowledged that Messi’s investment will not necessarily produce immediate heavy spending because "Spain's strict salary-limit rules place significant restrictions on clubs' spending, meaning Eldense will have to work within the financial regulations." The statement framed the takeover as a long-term project to strengthen the club both on and off the pitch while maintaining its historic identity.
Messi joins a number of high-profile players involved in club ownership: former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique’s Kosmos group owns Andorra in Spain’s second tier, while Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr and Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe are part of investment groups that hold majority stakes in Portuguese club Alverca and French side SM Caen respectively. The club release also noted Messi is set to receive a stake in Inter Miami after his playing contract with the Major League Soccer club expires.
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval, and once finalised the new ownership will take place while Eldense continue their campaign from 19th in the Segunda Division.
