From UE Cornellà to CD Eldense: Tracking Lionel Messi's Spanish Takeovers

Inter Miami CF captain Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to acquire 100 percent of CD Eldense, a recently promoted Spanish club currently competing in the Segunda División.

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Expanding Spanish investments

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the forward plans to purchase the club entirely, without the involvement of other stakeholders.

The move marks a significant step in his transition into professional football ownership in Spain, following his acquisition of lower-league side UE Cornellà earlier this year.

The investment aligns with the Argentine's long-term post-retirement plans. CD Eldense is based in the city of Elda within the Alicante province, a region situated relatively close to Catalonia.

Messi is widely expected to permanently relocate to Barcelona once his playing career in the United States concludes making the geographic proximity of his new club a strategic advantage.

The battle for ownership

Before Messi’s decisive entry into the negotiations, the club was owned by an international investment group led by Colombian businessman Juan Carlos Trujillo who had previously purchased the entity from Pascual Pérez.

Reports indicated that Argentine investor Ricardo Pini had also shown strong interest in taking over the club, with a proposed offer in the region of 12 million euros.

However, Messi’s intervention quickly shifted the landscape, securing the preliminary agreement ahead of competing bids.

A club in need of stability

The impending change in ownership arrives during a turbulent period on the pitch for Eldense.

The club recently dismissed head coach Claudio Barragán, making him the first manager to be sacked in the division this season. The decision came after a dismal start to the campaign, with the team managing to collect only two points from their opening four league fixtures. The board has yet to appoint a permanent replacement.

Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.