Lionel Messi Set to Become Club Owner as He Nears Deal to Buy Spanish Football Club

Football superstar Lionel Messi is reportedly taking another major step away from the pitch as he closes in on a deal to become the owner of Spanish second-tier football club CD Eldense.

The Argentine legend has reportedly reached an agreement in principle to acquire 100 per cent of Eldense’s shares from its current Colombian investment group, TH Soluciones Group S.A.S. The deal, however, still has to go through the necessary legal procedures and receive approval from Spain’s High Council for Sports. 

If completed, the move would make Messi the sole owner of the club and mark his first ownership of a professional football club in Spain.

Eldense, based in Elda in Alicante, currently competes in Spain’s second division and has spent three of the last four seasons at that level. The club has, however, endured a difficult start to the current campaign, picking up just two points from its opening four matches. Manager Claudio Barragán was subsequently dismissed. 

Interestingly, this is not Messi’s first move into football club ownership this year. In April, the football icon acquired Spanish lower-league side UE Cornellà, showing that his ambitions in football may extend far beyond his legendary playing career. 

Reports say Messi’s latest takeover is being pursued without partners, meaning the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner would personally control the Eldense project if the transaction receives final approval. The development has already generated excitement in Elda, with the city’s mayor, Rubén Alfaro, describing Messi’s potential arrival as major news for the city while urging caution until the deal is officially completed. 

With Messi already playing for Inter Miami and reportedly set to receive a stake in the MLS club after his playing contract ends, his growing involvement in football ownership suggests the Argentine superstar could be building a serious football business empire for life after his playing days.

From breaking records on the pitch to buying football clubs off it, Messi’s next chapter could be just as interesting as his playing career.