Lionel Messi Reportedly Agrees Deal to Buy La Liga 2 Club CD Eldense
Football legend Lionel Messi, 39, has reportedly agreed to a full 100% buyout of Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense. This marks his second club acquisition in Spain this year, following UE Cornellà in April 2026, as the Inter Miami star expands his growing football ownership empire.
Football superstar Lionel Messi is reportedly on the verge of acquiring 100% ownership of Spanish Segunda División side CD Eldense. News broke on September 8, 2026, that the 39-year-old Argentine has reached an agreement in principle to take full control of the club, further cementing his expanding portfolio of football investments. The finalization of the deal is contingent on due diligence and approval from Spanish sports authorities, with an official announcement anticipated in the coming days. Lionel Messi Nominated for Ballon d’Or 2026.
This move follows Messi's acquisition of UE Cornellà, a club in Spain's fifth-tier Catalan Tercera Federación, which was formalized in April 2026. The Eldense takeover represents a substantial step up in ambition, placing one of football's greatest players at the helm of a club competing in Spain's professional second tier.
Eldense's Current Standing
CD Eldense, based in Elda, Alicante, currently finds itself in a challenging position in La Liga 2. As of September 8, 2026, the club is reportedly battling in the relegation zone, sitting 20th out of 22 teams with just two points from four matches. They were recently promoted back to the Segunda División after topping Group 2 in the 2025-26 Primera Federación with 69 points. The club's home ground is the Nuevo Pepico Amat stadium, which has a capacity of 5,776 spectators.
Adding to their on-field struggles, Eldense recently dismissed their manager, Claudio Barragán, making him the first managerial casualty in the Segunda División this season. The team has yet to name his successor. Messi's reported investment is a solo venture, with no partners or former players involved in the transaction. The club's current ownership is attributed to the Colombian investment group TH, led by businessman Juan Carlos Trujillo, who acquired the club in October 2025.
Messi's Growing Empire
Still an active player with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, Messi, born on June 24, 1987, is actively preparing for life beyond his playing career by expanding his influence off the pitch. This acquisition aligns with his stated long-term goal of investing his footballing legacy back into the game and shaping clubs from a management perspective. The geographical proximity of Elda to Catalonia, where Messi reportedly plans to establish his permanent residency post-retirement, is also seen as a strategic factor in this investment.
Messi's growing network of football ventures includes his brother Matías Messi presiding over Argentina's Club Leones de Rosario Futbol Club, and his backing of Uruguayan side Deportivo LSM, founded by his friend Luis Suárez. The reported Eldense takeover underscores Messi's serious intent to build a significant football empire, diversifying his engagement with the sport beyond his legendary playing career.
This latest move signifies a clear strategic direction for Lionel Messi, as he continues to build a robust portfolio of club ownerships, securing his influence in the football world for years to come.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 09, 2026 08:36 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
