Lionel Messi is close to acquiring Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense after reaching an agreement in principle to buy the shares held by majority owner TH Soluciones Group S.A.S.
The Colombian investment group took control of Eldense in October 2025. It now plans to transfer its entire stake to Messi, although the deal still requires due diligence and approval from Spain’s High Council for Sports.
An announcement could come in the coming days.
Eldense play in Elda, in Spain’s Alicante province, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions. The club returned to the second tier this summer after previously playing there during three of the past four seasons.
The club have also endured a difficult start to the new campaign. Eldense collected only two points from their first four league matches before dismissing head coach Claudio Barragán on Sunday. The result left them third from bottom.
If completed, the takeover would mark another step in Messi’s growing involvement in football ownership.
The Argentina and Barcelona legend acquired fifth-tier Spanish club UE Cornellà on April 16. Cornellà remain a semi-professional side, meaning Eldense would become Messi’s first professional club investment in Spain.
Messi’s Spanish interests currently sit three divisions apart, so the ownership structure does not create an immediate competitive issue. However, the situation could become more complicated if the two clubs eventually meet in the same division, as Spanish football authorities would be unlikely to permit Messi to hold majority ownership of both clubs in that situation.
Eldense were founded in 1921 and play their home matches at the Nuevo Pepico Amat. The stadium holds 5,776 spectators.
Messi is also set to receive a stake in Major League Soccer club Inter Miami once his playing contract with the Florida club ends. His current contract runs through the 2028 season.
