Lionel Messi buys a Spanish club! (Official)

Lionel Messi is taking another step off the pitch by becoming the owner of CD Eldense, a club currently struggling in Spain’s second division.

Lionel Messi is continuing to establish himself in Spanish football, but this time away from the pitch. CD Eldense officially announced this Thursday that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is taking charge of the club. The Argentine will acquire the shares held by the TH Soluciones group and become the majority shareholder of the Elda-based team, which competes in LaLiga 2.

“Club Deportivo Eldense officially announces the acquisition of the club by Leo Messi, thus marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the institution’s century-old history,” the club said in its statement. However, the transaction remains subject to mandatory approval from Spain’s National Sports Council.

Messi launches a long-term project at Eldense

The stated objective is clear: to develop the club on the sporting, institutional and social fronts. Founded in 1921, Eldense are currently going through a difficult period. The club sit 19th out of 22 in the second division and have recorded just one win after seven matchdays.

For Messi, the operation therefore represents a genuine rebuilding project. An agreement in principle to acquire Eldense had already been announced at the beginning of September, before the final legal procedures were completed.

Another link with Spanish football

This acquisition further strengthens Messi’s ties to Spain, where he built most of his career wearing the colours of FC Barcelona. The Argentine also became the owner of UE Cornellà earlier this year, thereby adding a second Spanish club to his portfolio.

The strategy therefore goes beyond a one-off investment. At 39, Messi is gradually preparing for life after his playing career while maintaining a strong presence in Iberian football, a league he knows better than anyone after dominating La Liga for more than 15 years.

Eldense hope to move up to another level

Sportingly, the challenge remains immense. Eldense must first secure their survival before considering aiming higher. The presence of a global figure such as Messi could nevertheless increase the club’s appeal to sponsors, partners and players.

The former Argentina captain is continuing his career with Inter Miami in parallel. This latest acquisition above all confirms a trend: Messi does not seem intent on leaving football after retiring from playing, but rather on gradually taking on the role of owner and executive.

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Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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