Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to become the new owner of CD Eldense, a club currently competing in Spain’s second division, the team confirmed on Tuesday.
According to a statement provided to Reuters, the transaction is now subject to the completion of final legal and contractual formalities. This includes a due diligence process and mandatory authorization from the High Council for Sports (CSD), the governing body responsible for overseeing such deals in Spanish football.
The Inter Miami forward is nearing completion of a deal to acquire 100 percent of the shares currently held by the Colombian investment firm TH Soluciones Group SAS, which serves as the majority shareholder. The group took over Eldense last October, ending a period where the club had spent several years in regional divisions before earning promotion to the second tier.
This acquisition marks Messi’s expansion into club ownership in Spain. In April, he purchased UE Cornella, a side playing in the fifth tier, making him the majority owner of two Spanish clubs simultaneously. Additionally, reports indicate Messi is set to receive a stake in his current MLS club, Inter Miami, following the expiration of his playing contract.
Currently sitting 20th in the Segunda standings, Eldense has not provided a specific timeline for when the deal will be finalized, though Spanish media suggest it could be concluded within the coming days.
I’m curious how much effort will go into revitalizing these smaller teams versus just collecting assets.
Does Inter Miami ownership really depend on his playing contract ending? That’s a strange incentive structure.
Wait, does he now own two Spanish clubs? I thought this was just a joke news story.
Eldense in Segunda? With Messi involved, they’re definitely not going back down anytime soon.