Lionel Messi reaches preliminary agreement to buy Spanish club Eldense
Lionel Messi has reached a preliminary agreement to become majority owner of Spanish second-division club Eldense, his second Spanish club after Cornellà, while continuing to break records with Inter Miami.
Deal for Eldense
Spanish second-tier club Eldense have announced a "preliminary agreement" with Argentine great Lionel Messi for the acquisition of shares currently held by Grupo TH Soluciones, which would make the 39-year-old the club's majority shareholder, according to the BBC. The deal still requires a due diligence process and authorisation from Spain's National Sports Council (CSD). However, The New York Times reports the agreement covers 100% of the club, while the BBC describes it only as a majority stake — sources differ on the exact size of the stake involved.
The Alicante-based club, located in the city of Elda in the Valencia region, has taken just two points from four games this season and sits 20th in La Liga 2. Following the poor start, Eldense parted ways with head coach Claudio Barragán, with assistant Josep Ferrando now in interim charge.
This would be Messi's second Spanish club, after he bought fifth-tier side UE Cornellà, near Barcelona, in April — a club that has helped develop players including David Raya, Jordi Alba and Gerard Martin.
A new rivalry with Ronaldo
The deal would pit Messi against long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who bought a 25% stake in fellow La Liga 2 club Almería, Saudi-owned, in February. The two clubs already met once this season, with Almería winning 3-0, and according to FourFourTwo are scheduled to meet again on 2 May 2027 at Eldense's stadium — potentially the first official meeting between clubs owned by the two rivals.
Records with Inter Miami
Alongside his ownership ventures, Messi continues playing for Inter Miami. In a recent MLS match against Chicago Fire, which ended 1-1, Messi assisted Casemiro's equaliser, becoming the first player in history to reach 1,350 career goal contributions (goals plus assists), surpassing Ronaldo's tally of 1,240. Per World Soccer Talk, Messi has scored 927 career goals and provided 423 assists across 1,173 appearances.
Messi retired from international football with Argentina in August, following defeat to Spain in the final of the 2026 World Cup.
