Lionel Messi could be taking another big step into the business side of football. The Inter Miami CF forward has reached a preliminary agreement to take over Spanish second-division club Eldense.
The deal is not final yet. Messi must first complete due diligence, and the deal also needs approval from Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD). If the deal goes through, Messi will own a professional football club in Spain. It would also add another club to his growing football business.
Eldense are currently owned by Colombian investment group Grupo TH. The group also owns interests in clubs in Colombia and Switzerland. Messi’s possible arrival could bring a big change to Eldense’s ownership. It could also give the club much more attention around the world.
Messi Could Own Two Spanish Clubs
The most interesting part of the Eldense deal is that Messi already has another investment in Spanish football.
Earlier this year, the Barcelona and Argentina legend became the owner of fifth-tier club Cornellà, based in Barcelona. Cornellà plays at a semi-professional level.
If Messi completes the Eldense deal, he would own a club in Spain’s professional football system for the first time.
This could be an important step for Messi.
His investment in Cornellà gave him his first experience as a club owner. Eldense would now give him a professional club in Spain’s football pyramid. The club plays in the second division and returned to the league this summer.
The move also gives fans a look at Messi’s plans. At 39, he still plays for Inter Miami. But his growing football investments show that he may want to stay involved in the sport even after his playing career ends.
Eldense Have Seen Many Changes
As reported by the same ESPN article, Eldense was founded in 1921. Most of their history has been outside Spain’s top two divisions.
The club returned to the second division in 2023. It was their first return to that level since 1964. However, Eldense stayed there for only two seasons and went down in 2025.
The club then earned promotion again this summer and returned to Spain’s second division.
However, Eldense have had a poor start this season. They have not won any of their first four matches. The club also sacked coach Claudio Barragán earlier this week.
Eldense now need a new manager while they could also be preparing for a major ownership change.
The club play their home games at the Nuevo Pepico Amat. The stadium can hold just 5,776 fans.
That is very different from the huge stadiums where Messi has played during his career. He has played at Camp Nou and many other famous football grounds in front of massive crowds.
Now, if he becomes an owner, Messi will have to focus on things such as club development, player recruitment, and money management instead of goals and assists.
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Messi and Suárez Are Already Football Business Partners
Messi’s football investments also involve another famous name.
The Argentine is partly involved in Uruguayan club Deportivo LSM with his former Barcelona teammate and current Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez.
This shows that Messi is slowly building football investments in different countries.
The possible Eldense takeover could be another step in that journey.
There is also a rules issue that Messi will need to consider. His ownership of Eldense and Cornellà should not cause an immediate problem because the clubs currently play three divisions apart.
However, things could become difficult if both clubs reach the same division in the future.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) would likely not allow two clubs in the same division to have the same majority owner.
If that happens, Messi could have to make an important decision about his plans for one of the clubs.
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Why Eldense Could Be a Good Investment
Messi buying Eldense would mean much more than putting a famous name on the club.
Having Lionel Messi as an owner could give Eldense much more attention around the world. The club could attract more sponsors and commercial opportunities. More international fans could also start following the team.
The biggest question is what Messi and his investment group want to do with Eldense.
The club’s history shows that reaching the second division is not enough. Eldense have already gone through promotion, relegation and another promotion in a short period.
That makes Messi’s possible takeover very interesting.
The move would not simply be about a famous footballer owning a club. It could also test Messi’s ability to build a strong and stable football project.
From Barcelona Star to Club Owner
A new story is slowly developing around Messi in Spain.
He spent most of his European career at Barcelona and became one of the greatest footballers ever.
Now, years after leaving the club, Messi is building a new connection with Spanish football.
First came Cornellà. Now, Eldense could be next.
But there is an important difference.
Cornellà is connected to Messi’s roots in Catalonia. Eldense would take him into Spain’s professional football system.
If Messi completes the deal, he will not simply return to Spanish football through another investment. He will enter a completely different part of the game — club ownership.
For Eldense, football remains the main focus. The club needs a new manager, better results, and more stability after their difficult start to the season.
For Messi, however, Eldense could become something bigger.
It could give him a chance to learn how to build and manage a football club, rather than simply control games from the pitch.
That could become the most interesting part of the proposed takeover.
Messi’s next football legacy in Spain may not be measured in goals, trophies or individual awards, but in the clubs he helps build.
What are your thoughts on this investment by Lionel Messi? Let us know in the comments.
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