Lionel Messi Takes Control of Spanish Second Division Club Eldense

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has officially taken ownership of Eldense, a club competing in Spain's second division. This marks the first time the Argentine superstar invests in a professional football club in Spain.

Details of the Acquisition

The club, based in Alicante, announced the takeover on Thursday, celebrating a significant step in the 39-year-old's business pursuits off the field. Previously, Eldense was owned by Colombian investment firm Grupo TH, which holds interests in clubs across Colombia and Switzerland. This transfer represents Eldense's third ownership change within one year.

The deal still awaits approval from Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD). Once authorized, it will usher in an ambitious phase for the team competing in the Spanish second tier.

A Notable Entry Into Professional Club Ownership

This purchase is particularly noteworthy because Eldense is the first professional-level club Messi has bought in Spain. Earlier this year, he acquired fifth-division side Cornella, but that club remains semi-professional.

Upon confirming the acquisition, Eldense expressed enthusiasm about their new owner’s potential impact. They described the move as the start of a long-term effort to boost the club’s sporting, institutional, and social growth.

"The arrival of one of the most significant figures in sports history into Spanish professional football as the owner of CD Eldense signals the beginning of a long-term project aimed at driving the club’s sporting, institutional, and social development," the club said.

Club History and Ownership Challenges Ahead

Established in 1921, Eldense has mostly played outside Spain’s top two divisions. Their home matches are held at the Estadio Nuevo Pepico Amat, which accommodates 5,776 fans in the city of Elda.

After earning promotion to the second division in 2023 for the first time since 1964, the club was relegated in 2025 but climbed back up this summer. Besides Spain, Messi also holds a stake in Uruguayan club Deportivo LSM alongside his Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez.

Currently, owning both Eldense and Cornella is unlikely to cause conflicts due to the three-division difference. Yet, if Cornella advances to higher leagues, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) may prevent both teams from playing in the same division under Messi's majority ownership.

Immediate Challenges and Next Steps

Eldense faces pressure after a tough start to the season, having failed to secure a win in their first four games. This slump led to the recent sacking of head coach Claudio Barragan, leaving the club without a manager during the takeover process.

The key priority now is obtaining regulatory clearance from the CSD to finalize the acquisition. At the same time, the new leadership must quickly find a replacement coach to stabilize the team's performances on the pitch.

• Previous Owner: Colombian Grupo TH
• Stadium: Estadio Nuevo Pepico Amat (capacity 5,776)
• Founded: 1921
• Promotion to Segunda Division: 2023, first since 1964
• Relegation: 2025
• Return to Segunda Division: Summer 2026
• Current Season Start: 0 wins in 4 games
• Former Head Coach: Claudio Barragan (recently dismissed)
• Regulatory Approval Needed From: Spain's National Sports Council (CSD)