Lionel Messi is set to expand his growing involvement in football ownership after reaching an agreement in principle to acquire 100 per cent of the shares of Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense.

The Argentine icon has reportedly agreed to take full ownership of the club,strengthening his growing business footprint within Spanish football. The proposed takeover would make Eldense the second Spanish club to come under Messi’s ownership following his acquisition of UE Cornellà earlier this year.

Messi’s representatives had been negotiating with Eldense’s current owners, the Colombian investment group TH, led by businessman Juan Carlos Trujillo. The group acquired the club from Pascual Pérez in October 2025.

Although an agreement in principle has now been reached, the transaction is not yet completely formalised. The remaining legal and contractual procedures, including due diligence, must be completed before the takeover can be finalised. The deal will also require approval from Spain’s Higher Sports Council (CSD).

The development represents a significant change in the ownership landscape at Eldense. The club had also attracted interest from Argentine businessman Ricardo Pini, who was reportedly considering a bid worth around €12 million. However, Messi’s emergence in the negotiations dramatically altered the situation and put him in pole position to take control of the club.

Messi Expands Football Empire

The proposed acquisition of Eldense represents another step in Messi’s expanding football portfolio.

Earlier this year, the Inter Miami star acquired Spanish fifth-tier side UE Cornellà, giving him his first direct investment in a Spanish football club. The addition of Eldense would take his involvement a step further by placing him in control of a club competing in Spain’s professional second division.

Eldense currently compete in the Segunda División and are based in Elda, in the province of Valencia. The club have recently returned to Spain’s second tier but have endured a difficult beginning to the current campaign.

The team had collected just two points from their opening four league matches and recently parted company with manager Claudio Barragán following the disappointing start.

Messi’s potential arrival therefore comes at a crucial point for the club. While the takeover would provide enormous international attention, the immediate challenge remains improving Eldense’s sporting fortunes and establishing the club at a higher level of Spanish football.

The Argentine superstar’s expanding interests also extend beyond Spain. He has reportedly partnered with close friend and former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez on Deportivo LSM, a football project based in Uruguay.

The 39 year old’s football portfolio also reach his hometown Rosario in Argentina, where his family own a club, Leones FC, with his elder brother, Matías Messi, serving as president.

With the Eldense takeover, Messi is increasingly moving beyond his legendary playing career and establishing himself as an investor in the football industry.

For now, however, the deal remains subject to the completion of the necessary legal procedures and approval from Spain’s CSD. If those final hurdles are cleared, Messi will become the sole owner of a professional Spanish football club—adding another significant chapter to his extraordinary relationship with the game.