9 September 2026
Press reports revealed on Tuesday that Argentine star Lionel Messi, captain of the American side Inter Miami, has taken a new step to cement his status as a businessman in Spanish football.
According to reports seen by The StatsRoom Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to acquire CD Eldense, a club currently in Spain's second division.
Messi had previously acquired UE Cornellà, a Catalan third-division club, earlier this year.
The report indicates that the Argentine star is expected to acquire 100% of the club's shares.
Reports state that this move "reflects Messi's desire to invest his legacy and resources in the football world. This time, the choice has fallen on a club that recently won promotion to the Spanish second division and is based in the city of Elda, in the province of Alicante."
Alicante province is located near Catalonia, where Messi intends to reside after retiring from professional football.
The deal is set to be officially announced in the coming days once final legal and contractual procedures are concluded, as the transaction requires mandatory approval from the Higher Sports Council.
An international investment group of Colombian origin, led by businessman Juan Carlos Trujillo, had previously acquired CD Eldense after purchasing the club from Pascual Pérez in October 2015.
In recent months, there had also been rumors regarding Argentine Ricardo Pini's intention to acquire the club for approximately €12 million; however, Messi's name has now emerged as a major contender. It is worth noting that Eldense dismissed their coach, Claudio Barragán, last Monday, making him the first coach to be sacked in the second division.
The team has secured only two points from four league matches and has not yet appointed a new coach.
