Lionel Messi has signed all official documents to become the owner of CD Eldense, finalising what amounts to a landmark takeover in Spanish football. The move sees the Inter Miami forward execute the definitive purchase contracts, converting what had previously been a verbal agreement into a fully binding deal to acquire 100 percent of the Segunda Division club's shares.
Through the transaction, Messi buys out Colombian investment firm TH Soluciones Group S.A.S., which had held majority ownership of the club since taking control in October 2025. With the purchase agreement now signed, the final step before Messi is officially recognised as sole owner is formal authorisation from Spain's High Council for Sports (CSD), a mandatory administrative approval that is still pending.
The move makes Eldense the second Spanish club Messi has acquired this year, following his purchase of fifth-tier side UE Cornella back in April. Because Spanish regulations restrict individuals from holding significant ownership stakes in more than one club within the same competition, the fact that Cornella sits three divisions below Eldense is expected to help smooth the CSD's approval of the deal, since the two clubs are unlikely to meet in the same competition for the foreseeable future.
Eldense, based in Elda in Spain's eastern Alicante province, have endured a difficult start to the season, sitting near the bottom of the Segunda Division table after taking just two points from their opening four matches. The club parted ways with head coach Claudio Barragan earlier in September as a result, with Josep Ferrando currently overseeing first-team affairs on an interim basis.
Messi's growing portfolio of club ownership extends beyond Spain as well, with reported stakes in Uruguay's Deportivo LSM alongside former strike partner Luis Suarez, and Argentine side Leon de Rosario in his home country. His move into Spain's second tier also places him in a form of competition with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who acquired a 25 percent stake in fellow Segunda Division side UD Almeria earlier this year.
Football's attention now turns to the CSD, whose formal sign-off will complete the process and officially confirm Messi as the new owner of CD Eldense.
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