Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to acquire Spanish second-division club CD Eldense, continuing his gradual expansion into sports investment and club management.
The takeover has not yet been formalized; legal and financial due diligence remains ongoing, and the transfer of ownership still requires approval from Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD).
According to reports, Messi intends to buy 100% of Eldense’s shares independently from the TH Group, headed by Colombian businessman Juan Carlos Trujillo, without involving external investment partners.
This marks the Argentine icon’s second administrative venture in Spain, following his acquisition of fifth-division side Unió Esportiva Cornellà last April—a club renowned for its focus on youth development.
The agreement comes during a difficult stretch for Eldense, who sit 20th in La Liga Hypermotion with just two points from their opening four matches. Winless so far, the club recently dismissed manager Claudio Barragán, appointing Josep Ferrando on an interim basis.
Adding a twist of irony, Eldense opened their season with a 3–0 defeat to Almería—the very club in which Messi’s longtime rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, invested a few months prior.
The Portuguese superstar acquired a 25% stake in Almería through CR7 Sports Investments for an undisclosed sum, signaling his intention to shape football beyond his playing career.
After competing for decades over goals, trophies, and Ballon d’Or honors, Messi and Ronaldo appear set to write a new chapter of their rivalry in executive boardrooms: the former closing in on full ownership of Eldense and the latter holding a stake in Almería, with both clubs competing in the same division.
