Argentina captain and Inter Miami forward, Lionel Messi, has completed the purchase of Spanish second-division club Eldense, the club confirmed on Thursday.
The 39-year-old has taken over the Alicante-based side from Colombian investment group Grupo TH, which also owns clubs in Colombia and Switzerland.
Eldense described Messi’s arrival as the beginning of a long-term project focused on the club’s sporting, institutional and social development.
However, the deal is still subject to approval by Spain’s National Sports Council.
The acquisition makes Eldense the second Spanish club owned by Messi, following his purchase earlier this year of fifth-tier side Cornellà, based in Barcelona.
Unlike Cornellà, which remains semi-professional, Eldense compete in Spain’s professional football system, making them Messi’s first professional club investment in the country.
Messi is also partially involved with Uruguayan club Deportivo LSM alongside his Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez.
Eldense and Cornellà are currently separated by three divisions, meaning Messi’s ownership of both clubs is not expected to create an immediate conflict.
However, the Royal Spanish Football Federation could prevent the two clubs from playing in the same division if Messi becomes the majority shareholder of both.
Founded in 1921, Eldense have spent most of their history outside Spain’s top two divisions.
They returned to the second tier this summer after previously gaining promotion in 2023 and suffering relegation in 2025.
The club have struggled since returning to the division, failing to win any of their opening four matches of the season.
Coach Claudio Barragán was sacked earlier this week, leaving the team without a manager.
Eldense play their home matches at the 5,776-capacity Nuevo Pepico Amat stadium in Elda.
Messi’s takeover also marks the club’s third change of ownership in the past year.
