Lionel Messi has reached a preliminary agreement to purchase 100 percent of the shares of Spanish professional football club CD Eldense, according to the Spanish daily newspaper Marca. The acquisition would give the former Argentina international complete ownership of a professional club without the participation of third parties, marking a significant expansion of his sports business portfolio following his earlier purchase of Catalan fifth-tier side UE Cornellà.
Transaction Details and Regulatory Hurdles for the Eldense Buyout
Negotiations between Messi and the current owners of CD Eldense have yielded a preliminary agreement for the player to become the club’s majority shareholder, as reported by Marca. The transaction remains subject to final legal and contractual formalities, including a standard due diligence process. Furthermore, according to Marca, the purchase must receive official approval from Spain’s Higher Sports Council (CSD) before the deal can be finalized.
Ownership Background and Competing Bids
CD Eldense was previously acquired in October 2025 by an international investment group of Colombian origin named TH Soluciones, led by businessman Juan Carlos Trujillo, who bought the club from Pascual Pérez. Prior to Messi’s entry into the negotiations, market speculation centered on potential interest from Argentine businessman Ricardo Pini, who was reportedly prepared to bid roughly 12 million euros for the club. Messi’s intervention has now shifted the ownership landscape for the team based in Elda, Alicante, near the region where Messi plans to reside following the conclusion of his playing career with Inter Miami.
https://x.com/marca/status/2097392551980335122
Team Struggles and Managerial Change
The prospective takeover coincides with a difficult start to the season for CD Eldense in Spain’s Segunda División. The club announced the dismissal of head coach Claudio Barragán, making him the first managerial departure in the current LaLigy2 campaign. Having achieved promotion to the second tier in the 2022/23 season, Eldense sits near the bottom of the table with only two points after four matches, prompting an urgent search for a new manager.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which club is Lionel Messi reportedly buying?
Messi has reached a preliminary agreement to purchase CD Eldense, a professional club currently playing in Spain’s Segunda División, according to Marca.
Does Messi own any other football clubs?
Yes, Messi purchased Catalan club UE Cornellà, which competes in the fifth-tier Tercera Federación, earlier in the year.
What approvals are required to complete the Eldense purchase?
The transaction requires the completion of legal due diligence and formal approval from Spain’s Higher Sports Council (CSD), as reported by Marca.
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