{
  "id": 8131389,
  "title": "From the Pitch to the Boardroom: Why Messi, Mbappé and Piqué Are Buying Soccer Clubs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/del-cesped-al-palco-por-que-messi-mbappe-y-pique-compran-clubes-de",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T22:15:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Expansion ES",
    "slug": "expansion-es",
    "url": "https://www.expansion.com/deporte-negocio/2026/09/18/6aac2259468aeb7b378b45b0.html"
  },
  "original_language": "es",
  "account": "When Lionel Messi hangs up his boots, he won't be able to escape football entirely. In fact, he will become the owner of Club Deportivo Eldense. Just a week after an preliminary agreement was reached between the Spanish club, Messi will be in charge of a LaLiga team. His move will expand his portfolio, which began with the purchase of a fifth tier club in April. Messi also plans to receive a stake in Inter Miami when his playing contract ends. This follows Gerard Piqué's acquisition of FC Andorra in December 2018, which he guided into the Second Division in 2022. Kylian Mbappé, another high-profile footballer, has invested in French club SM Caen and Portuguese club Alverca. These moves reflect a growing trend of elite footballers investing in clubs. The primary reason, according to experts, is emotional. By owning a club, footballers can maintain their connection to the sport after their playing days are over, preserve their professional identity, and pass on the knowledge they have accumulated over the years. However, this sentimental aspect alone cannot explain the decision to buy a club. The decision-making process begins with an emotional connection to the sport, but the head then takes over by carefully considering the business aspects. Javier Rivas, a professor, describes this as a strategic hybrid. While the emotional pull of the sport and the desire to remain connected to it provide the initial motivation, the purchase is ultimately grounded in a corporate investment analysis and heritage diversification. Compared to investing in other sectors, owning a club allows footballers to invest in a familiar sector and leverage their personal brand. Messi's future ownership of Eldense fits into this broader trend. Other footballers like Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior have also invested in clubs. The appeal of these investments extends beyond the lower cost and the possibility of substantial returns. Footballers like Messi can attract international sponsors and audiences, but ultimately, the return on investment will depend on the team's performance, professional management, and the control they can exert over the club's resources.",
  "summary": "Lionel Messi is preparing to join CD Eldense after also entering UE Cornellà, following a business path that Gerard Piqué has already taken with FC Andorra. Emotional ties, lower entry price, control, youth academy, promotions and potential for revaluation explain the growing interest of stars in becoming owners.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}