Lionel Messi completes takeover of CD Eldense
Messi finalises purchase of CD Eldense, a Spanish second-division club founded in 1921
On October 2, 2026, Lionel Messi completed the takeover of Spanish side CD Eldense, which competes in the country’s second division. The deal makes Messi the owner of another Spanish club in 2026, expanding his off-field involvement in European football.
"Club Deportivo Eldense officially announces that Lionel Messi has taken over the club. This marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in the club's more than century-long history." the club said in a statement. CD Eldense was founded in 1921.
Sporting context and recent form
After seven rounds in the Spanish second division, Eldense have recorded one win, two draws and four defeats and sit 19th in the table. The club returned to the second tier in the 2023/24 season after a 60-year absence.
Messi previously purchased UE Cornellà, a club that plays in the fourth tier of Spanish football, and the acquisition of Eldense continues his string of investments in Spanish clubs. He has been a player for Inter Miami since 2023, and his contract with the Florida club reportedly includes an ownership stake after his retirement from professional football.
The full terms of the Eldense takeover — including Messi’s role in sporting decisions, investment plans and the composition of the club’s board — were not disclosed. The move, however, positions Messi among a small group of active players who are building football portfolios while still playing.
Photo: press material from the event
