Messi completes takeover of Spanish second-tier side CD Eldense

Lionel Messi has completed the acquisition of Spanish second-tier side CD Eldense, the club announced on Thursday, pending regulatory approval.

Messi, 39, has become the majority owner of a second Spanish club this year, after purchasing UE Cornella in April, according to Reuters. The Inter Miami forward last month agreed a deal to acquire all of the Eldense shares held by a Colombian investment group, the club’s previous majority shareholder.

‘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 club wrote on its website. TalkSPORT reports the transaction is pending authorisation from Spain’s High Council for Sports (CSD) under the Sports Law, and that Messi’s lawyers had been in talks for some time with the previous owners, the Colombian investment group TH led by Juan Carlos Trujillo.

Eldense, founded in 1921 and based in Elda near Alicante, were only promoted back to LaLiga 2 at the first attempt after relegation in the 2024/25 season, and sit 19th in the Segunda Division with four defeats from their first seven matches. The club plays at the 5,776-capacity Estadio Municipal Nuevo Pepico Amat under former Spain striker Claudio Barragan. TalkSPORT notes Messi has retired from Argentina duty but continues to play for Inter Miami.

Sources: Reuters | TalkSPORT