Entering Spain’s Professional Tier
Argentine football icon Lionel Messi is close to significantly expanding his post-playing business portfolio, reaching an official agreement in principle to acquire a 100% stake in CD Eldense. The Inter Miami forward has partnered with the club’s current majority shareholder, the Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group, to take complete control of the Alicante-based side. The mega-deal is currently pending final legal formalities, due diligence, and mandatory clearance from Spain’s High Council for Sports (CSD).
Expanding the Multi-Club Network
- The First Tier: Unlike his previous investments, Eldense represents Messi’s very first purchase of a fully professional football club in Europe.
- The Division: Eldense currently competes in La Liga 2 (Segunda División), Spain’s professional second tier.
- The Predecessor: This acquisition follows the 39-year-old’s purchase of UE Cornellà, a semi-professional club in the Catalan fifth division, earlier this year.
- The Blueprint: By layering Eldense on top of his stakes in Cornellà and his family’s involvement with Leones FC in Argentina, Messi is actively building his own network of football clubs for the future.
Challenges Ahead at Nuevo Pepico Amat
The high-profile takeover comes at a turbulent sporting moment for the historic club. Eldense currently sits third from the bottom in the La Liga 2 standings after taking just two points from their opening four league matches. The poor run led the club to dismiss manager Claudio Barragán, leaving the incoming ownership with the immediate task of appointing a new head coach to steady the ship at Nuevo Pepico Amat stadium.
