Messi Buys Spanish Club
Lionel Messi agrees to acquire Spanish second-division football club CD Eldense.
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Key Points
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The previous owner, Colombian investment group Grupo TH, also has football clubs in Colombia and Switzerland.
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Messi is also partially involved with Uruguay’s Deportivo LSM alongside Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez.
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Eldense were promoted to Spain’s second tier in 2023, relegated in 2025 and returned to the division the following summer. After going winless in their first four matches this season, the club sacked coach Claudio Barragán and was left without a manager.
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Eldense play at Nuevo Pepico Amat, a stadium in Elda with a capacity of 5,776.
Lionel Messi has agreed to acquire CD Eldense, a Spanish second-division club, pending approval from Spain's Higher Sports Council. Mirror confirmed the deal gives the 39-year-old Inter Miami star majority ownership of the club, which was promoted to Spain's second tier in 2023. This marks Messi's second Spanish club investment this year and his first in professional Spanish football.
Eldense plays in a stadium with just 5,776 seats and has struggled early this season, going winless in their first four matches before firing coach Claudio Barragán. Independent notes the acquisition comes after Messi bought UE Cornellà, a fifth-tier club, in April. The longtime Barcelona legend is now building a small empire of football clubs across multiple countries.
From Colombian Owner to Messi's Hands
Messi purchased all shares held by Grupo TH, a Colombian investment group that previously owned Eldense. CompleteSports reports the acquisition makes Messi the new majority shareholder. Grupo TH also owns football clubs in Colombia and Switzerland, but has now exited the Spanish club entirely.
Building Messi's Football Club Portfolio
Eldense is Messi's second Spanish club purchase in 2024. He bought UE Cornellà, a fifth-tier team, in April without taking ownership stakes in professional Spanish clubs. Messi is also partially involved with Uruguay's Deportivo LSM, where he partners with Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez on the board.
A Club Built in 1921 Faces Big Changes
Founded in 1903, Eldense plays at Nuevo Pepico Amat stadium in the small city of Elda, which holds only 5,776 fans. BeninWebTV notes that Eldense announced a long-term project to develop the club both on and off the pitch while keeping its local identity intact. The club's financial resources will be limited by Spain's strict spending rules for second-division teams.
A Bumpy Start Needs Messi's Fresh Direction
Eldense was relegated from the second division in 2025 but returned to the division that summer. This season has been rocky: the team went winless in their opening four matches and fired manager Claudio Barragán, leaving them without a head coach. Messi's takeover comes at a moment when the club needs leadership and a clear vision to turn things around.
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