Messi Moves Toward Buying Spanish Second-Division Club Eldense
Lionel Messi reached a preliminary agreement to take over Spanish second-division club Eldense from Colombian investment group Grupo TH.[3] The transaction remains subject to due diligence and approval from Spain’s National Sports Council, and would give Messi his first professional-club investment…
Lionel Messi reached a preliminary agreement to take over Spanish second-division club Eldense from Colombian investment group Grupo TH.[3] The transaction remains subject to due diligence and approval from Spain’s National Sports Council, and would give Messi his first professional-club investment in Spain after his purchase of semi-professional Cornellà.[3]
Why it matters: Owning both Eldense and Cornellà could eventually create a regulatory constraint because the Royal Spanish Football Federation would be unlikely to permit two majority-owned clubs to compete in the same division.[3]
Key insights: Eldense returned to Spain’s second tier this summer after being promoted in 2023 and relegated in 2025.[3] | The club failed to win its first four matches of the season and sacked coach Claudio Barragán, leaving it without a manager.[3] | Messi, 39, is also partially involved with Luis Suárez in Uruguayan side Deportivo LSM.[3] | Eldense play at the 5,776-capacity Nuevo Pepico Amat in Elda.[3]
Cheatsheet facts: What changed: Messi reached a preliminary agreement to acquire Eldense, potentially adding a second Spanish club to his portfolio.[3] | Why now: The agreement comes after Eldense returned to the second division and began the season winless through four games, prompting a managerial dismissal.[3] | Watch next: Track completion of due diligence and the required decision from Spain’s National Sports Council.[3]
Lionel Messi reached a preliminary agreement to take over Spanish second-division club Eldense from Colombian investment group Grupo TH.[3] The transaction remains subject to due diligence and approval from Spain’s National Sports Council, and would give Messi his first professional-club investment in Spain after his purchase of semi-professional Cornellà.[3]
Why it matters: Owning both Eldense and Cornellà could eventually create a regulatory constraint because the Royal Spanish Football Federation would be unlikely to permit two majority-owned clubs to compete in the same division.[3]
Key insights: Eldense returned to Spain’s second tier this summer after being promoted in 2023 and relegated in 2025.[3] | The club failed to win its first four matches of the season and sacked coach Claudio Barragán, leaving it without a manager.[3] | Messi, 39, is also partially involved with Luis Suárez in Uruguayan side Deportivo LSM.[3] | Eldense play at the 5,776-capacity Nuevo Pepico Amat in Elda.[3]
Cheatsheet facts: What changed: Messi reached a preliminary agreement to acquire Eldense, potentially adding a second Spanish club to his portfolio.[3] | Why now: The agreement comes after Eldense returned to the second division and began the season winless through four games, prompting a managerial dismissal.[3] | Watch next: Track completion of due diligence and the required decision from Spain’s National Sports Council.[3]