Argentine footballer Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to acquire Spanish football club Eldense, which plays in the country's second division. reports Reuters. The 39-year-old striker of the American Inter Miami intends to independently buy out 100% of the shares owned by the current majority owner of the club, the Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group.
Eldense itself announced that an agreement in principle had been reached on September 9. The deal has not yet been completed: the parties must complete legal and contractual procedures, conduct due diligence, and the purchase must receive mandatory approval from the Spanish Supreme Council of Sports (CSD). The club did not give an exact date for closing the deal.
The day before, the Spanish radio station Cadena SER reported about the negotiations. Initially, information appeared that Messi's former Barcelona partners Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol could participate in the purchase. However, later the mayor of Elda, Ruben Alfaro, confirmed that the Argentine plans to purchase the club on his own, without the participation of other investors.
“This night they confirmed to us that an agreement in principle has already been reached. But now we must exercise the caution that such situations require and wait for the final completion of the transaction,” Alfaro said.
The mayor said the interest of one of the world's most famous footballers in the club was “terrific news” for the city. Alfaro also said that he communicated with Messi’s representatives and discussed with them possible future projects, including those related to the training of young football players.
Eldense is based in the city of Elda in the province of Alicante. In 2023, the club returned to the Spanish second division after a 60-year absence. The team currently ranks 20th in the Segunda standings. This week, management fired head coach Claudio Barragan, after which Josep Ferrando took over the team temporarily.
If the deal goes through, Eldense will become the second Spanish club of which Messi is a co-owner. As Reuters notes, on April 16, 2026, the Argentine acquired the Cornella club, which plays in the fifth highest division of Spanish football. In addition, after the end of his current playing contract, Messi should receive a stake in his current club Inter Miami.
