Messi nears deal to acquire Spanish second-tier club Eldense

Lionel Messi is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to purchase the majority shareholding in Spanish second-tier football club CD Eldense, according to multiple Spanish news outlets. The Colombian investment firm TH Soluciones Group SAS currently owns the majority of Eldense's shares, but Messi is set to acquire them following approval from Spain's High Council for Sports.

The Colombian group took control of Eldense in October 2025, following their relegation from the top division. The deal, subject to regulatory approval, would see TH Soluciones transfer full ownership to Messi. Messi, who recently retired from international football with Argentina, already owns CD Cornella, a fifth-tier club. He is also expected to receive a stake in Major League Soccer's Inter Miami after his playing contract with the team concludes.

Eldense, based in Elda, a town of around 55,000 people in Alicante province, have spent much of their history in Spain's lower divisions but have recently secured promotion to the second tier for three of the past four seasons. The club sacked their manager Claudio Barragan after winning just two points from their first four league matches this season, placing them third from the bottom.