Lionel Messi poised to buy Eldense
Argentine superstar has reached a preliminary deal to acquire a majority stake in Eldense, currently in Spain's second division.
On 8 September 2026 Lionel Messi moved closer to a new chapter off the pitch: the Argentine forward has reached a preliminary agreement to acquire a majority shareholding in CD Eldense, a club competing this season in Spain's second division.
The operation is expected to be completed in the coming days once a planned financial audit is finished and the necessary administrative steps are cleared. Club officials and the prospective buyer have, according to the reports, agreed the broad terms of the transfer of ownership.
Previous investment in Catalonia
If the transaction is confirmed, it would mark the first time Messi becomes owner of a professional club in Spain. In April he already assumed control of the Catalan side Cornellà, which plays in the fifth tier of the Spanish system.
Those close to the negotiations say the deal contemplates Messi taking all or the vast majority of the club's shares, a move that would transform Eldense from a modest second-division team into one of the most-watched clubs in the country.
The next steps are administrative: completion of the audit, registration of the new ownership with Spanish football authorities, and the usual paperwork required for such a takeover. If everything proceeds as planned, an official announcement is likely once those formalities are closed.
For Eldense, a club with limited recent national profile, the association with Messi could bring significant sporting and commercial interest, altering the club's visibility inside and outside Spain.
Photo: press material from the event
