Lionel Messi buys second Spanish club in major ownership

Lionel Messi is set to expand his growing portfolio of football owners in Spain, with the Inter Miami forward reaching a preliminary agreement to take over second division side Eldens. The proposed deal would make the Argentine superstar the majority owner of a professional Spanish club for the first time.

The deal is still subject to due diligence and approval by Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD). If completed, Eldense would become the second Spanish club in Messi’s portfolio after acquiring Cornell’s fifth team earlier this year, although Cornell remains a semi-professional team.

Messi’s growing involvement in club ownership comes alongside his playing career in the United States. The 39-year-old is also part-time with Uruguayan side Deportivo LSM alongside former Barcelona and Inter Miami team-mate Luis Suarez.

MESSI’S SPANISH FOOTBALL PORTFOLIO IS GROWING

Eldens is currently owned by Colombian investment group Grupo TH, which also has soccer interests in Colombia and Switzerland. The club was founded in 1921 and has spent much of its history outside Spain’s top two divisions, but has experienced a turbulent period in recent seasons.

The Elda-based side returned to the Segunda División this summer after previously gaining promotion in 2023 and suffering relegation two years later. Their latest comeback did not start smoothly, with Eldense failing to win any of their opening four league games.

A poor start led to the departure of coach Claudio Barragna earlier this week, leaving the club on the hunt for a new manager as a proposed change in ownership looms.

Messi’s ownership of Eldens and Cornell would not, for now, create an immediate competitive conflict with clubs separated by three divisions. However, the situation could get complicated if both sides end up climbing the Spanish football pyramid.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation is unlikely to allow two clubs with the same majority ownership to compete in the same division, meaning Messi’s long-term ambitions for Cornell could eventually face a significant test if Eldense continues his progress.

Eldense currently play their home matches at Nuevo Pepico Amat, a 5,776 capacity stadium in Elda. If the deal goes through, the humble ground will become the latest home venue to come under the ownership of one of football’s most famous figures.

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Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

09 Sep 2026 16:57 IST