Messi completes purchase of second Spanish club

Lionel Messi has finalized his acquisition of Spanish lower-division football club CD Eldense, making it the second club in Spain owned by the football icon. The transaction, pending regulatory clearance, joins Messi's ownership of Catalan side Cornellà, which he acquired in April. CD Eldense confirmed the deal through their official website, announcing the beginning of a new chapter in their 100-year history.

Currently, the club stands 19th in the 22-team Spanish second division, having earned one win and five points from their first seven games. Messi, who recently retired from international football following Argentina's 2022 World Cup victory, now plays for American Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. The former Barcelona forward, an eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient, announced his stake purchase in CD Eldense in September, solidifying his majority ownership.

"The arrival of one of the most important figures in the history of sport as owner of CD Eldense marks the beginning of a long-term project aimed at promoting the club’s sporting, institutional, and social development," stated the Alicante-based club. Messi relocated to Spain at age 13, debuting for Barcelona's first team at 17 in October 2004.

He then moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 before joining Inter Miami in 2023. Notably, Messi's former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, acquired a 25% share in Spanish club Almería in February.