Lionel Messi has officially finalized his acquisition of CD Eldense, a Spanish second division club, in a move that represents the legendary Argentine's second investment in Spanish football. The transaction, pending final regulatory approval, adds another chapter to Messi's involvement in club ownership, following his April purchase of Catalan outfit Cornella. At 39 years old, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner continues to diversify his interests beyond his current role as a Major League Soccer player with Inter Miami.
CD Eldense, an Alicante-based institution with more than a century of history, confirmed the landmark ownership change on their official website, declaring the acquisition "marks the start of a new and exciting chapter in the club's history." The club emphasized that Messi's arrival as majority shareholder initiates "a long-term project aimed at promoting the club's sporting, institutional, and social development." Currently positioned 19th in Spain's 22-team second division standings with just one victory and five points accumulated through seven opening matches, Eldense faces considerable challenges that the new ownership structure will seek to address.
Messi achieved preliminary shareholder agreement status in September before completing the full acquisition process in recent weeks. The timing arrives as the Barcelona legend, who deparked the Catalan club after scoring a record 672 goals in 778 appearances, continues his post-playing transition into club leadership. Having won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and retired from international football in August, Messi's ownership ventures demonstrate his sustained engagement with competitive football management despite stepping back from international representation.
Messi's ownership expansion mirrors rival Cristiano Ronaldo's earlier investment strategy, with the Saudi Pro League-based forward having acquired a 25% stake in Spanish club Almeria during February. As Messi settles into his Miami-based playing career while building a portfolio of Spanish football investments, the Eldense ownership stake signals his long-term commitment to shaping the sport's competitive landscape from an ownership perspective.