- September 16, 2026 7:17 pm
Lionel Messi, the Argentina great, has reached a “preliminary agreement” to become the majority shareholder of Spanish second-division side Eldense. This move marks the 39-year-old’s second investment in Spanish football, following his acquisition of Catalan fifth-tier club Cornella in April, and sets the stage for a new boardroom rivalry with former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.
The agreement, announced by Eldense, will see Messi acquire the shares currently owned by Grupo TH Soluciones, positioning him as the club’s majority shareholder. The Spanish club, based in Alicante, is currently struggling in La Liga 2, sitting 20th with just two points from their opening four games this season. They recently parted ways with head coach Claudio Barragan earlier this week, according to the BBC.
The transaction is still subject to several conditions, including the completion of legal and contractual procedures, a thorough due diligence process, and the necessary authorisation from the Spanish National Sports Council (CSD). Sources indicate Messi is expected to take a more active role in the running of Eldense compared to his previous club investment.
Messi’s move into Spanish club ownership brings a new dimension to his long-standing rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo, 41, who currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, acquired a 25% stake in Spanish second-division side Almeria in February. Both Eldense and Almeria compete in the same league, setting up potential clashes between the clubs owned by the two footballing icons.
The two teams have already met this season, with Almeria securing a 3-0 victory against Eldense in their opening match. A further direct encounter between Messi’s and Ronaldo’s clubs is scheduled for May 2, 2027, during match-week 37 of the LaLiga2 season, which will be played on Eldense’s home turf. Ronaldo previously stated his “long-held ambition… to contribute to football, beyond the pitch,” regarding his investment in Almeria, according to FourFourTwo.
This investment in Eldense is not Messi’s first foray into club ownership. In April, he acquired Catalan side Cornella, a fifth-tier club located near Barcelona. This earlier acquisition was described as reinforcing his “close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalonia.” Beyond Spain, Messi has also formed Deportivo LSM, a club competing in Uruguay’s fourth tier, alongside former Barcelona and current Inter Miami team-mate Luis Suarez.
Messi’s career has seen him spend the majority of his time in Spain, having joined Barcelona at 13. He made his first-team debut for the club in October 2004 aged 17, going on to score a club record 672 goals in 778 games. He departed for Paris St-Germain in 2021 before joining Major League Soccer side Inter Miami in the United States in 2023. Earlier this month, Messi announced his retirement from international football, stating he had “nothing left to give” after Argentina were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. This decision followed Argentina’s World Cup journey, which saw Messi captain his side to the final. For more on his international career and penalty duties, see Messi’s Penalty Duties for Argentina: The 2026 WC Debate.
Comments are off for this post.