Lionel Messi closes in on takeover of Spanish club Eldense

Lionel Messi is closing in on a move to take control of Spanish second-tier club Eldense as the Inter Miami forward expands his growing involvement in football ownership.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has reached a preliminary agreement for the takeover, although the deal still requires due diligence to be completed and approval from Spain’s National Sports Council.

Eldense are currently owned by Colombian investment group Grupo TH, which has interests in clubs in Colombia and Switzerland.

If the agreement is completed, Eldense would become the second Spanish club linked to Messi’s ownership portfolio.

Messi builds Spanish football portfolio

Messi acquired a stake in fifth-tier Cornella in April 2026, although the Barcelona-based club operates at a semi-professional level.

Cornella have produced several notable footballers, including Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and former Barcelona defender Jordi Alba.

A completed takeover of Eldense would therefore represent Messi’s first investment in a professional Spanish club.

The Argentine is also involved with Uruguayan side Deportivo LSM alongside his Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez, giving the veteran forward an increasingly significant presence in football away from the pitch.

Messi’s ownership of both Eldense and Cornella would not immediately create a competition issue because the clubs are currently separated by three divisions.

However, the Royal Spanish Football Federation could prevent the two teams from playing in the same division if Messi becomes the majority shareholder of both clubs.

Eldense face difficult start to season

Founded in 1921, Eldense have spent much of their history outside Spain’s top two divisions.

The club returned to the second tier in 2023 for the first time in almost six decades, having last played there in 1964. They were relegated in 2025 but secured an immediate return to the division this summer.

Their latest campaign has started poorly, however, with Eldense failing to win any of their first four matches.

That run resulted in the dismissal of manager Claudio Barragán earlier this week, leaving the club searching for a new head coach.

Eldense play their home fixtures at the Nuevo Pepico Amat in Elda, with the stadium holding 5,776 spectators.