Argentine football star Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to become the new owner of Spanish second-tier club C.D. Eldense, the club confirmed...
Argentine football star Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to become the new owner of Spanish second-tier club C.D. Eldense, the club confirmed on Wednesday.
The Inter Miami forward is close to completing a deal to acquire 100 percent of the shares currently held by Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group S.A.S., which is Eldense’s majority shareholder.
The proposed takeover would make Messi the majority owner of a second Spanish football club. The 39-year-old already completed the purchase of fifth-tier side UE Cornella on April 16 this year.
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Cornella have developed a reputation for their grassroots and youth football programmes, with several players from their academy going on to join Barcelona, Messi’s former club.
The Eldense deal is not yet complete, however, with the club saying several legal and contractual procedures still need to be finalised before the Argentine can formally take control.
“At this time, the operation is pending completion of the final legal and contractual procedures, including the corresponding due diligence process, as well as the mandatory authorisation from the High Council for Sports (CSD),” Eldense told Reuters.
The club said it could not provide a fixed date for completion of the transaction. TH Soluciones Group has also been contacted for comment.
Eldense currently sit 20th in the Segunda standings. The club was taken over by TH Soluciones Group in October last year.
The proposed takeover comes after a major rise for Eldense, who reached Spain’s second tier following years in the country’s regional divisions.
Messi’s ownership of Eldense would also come with limitations on how much the club can spend on players. Spain operates strict salary-limit rules, meaning the former Barcelona and Argentina star would not simply be able to spend heavily on new signings.
The rules are designed to control clubs’ spending and ensure that their wage commitments remain within the financial limits set for Spanish football.
Messi is also expected to receive a stake in Inter Miami once his current playing contract with the Major League Soccer club expires.
Reports in Spain on Tuesday indicated that the purchase of Eldense could be completed within the coming days, although the club has not confirmed a specific completion date.
The move would add Eldense to a growing list of European clubs with prominent footballers or former players among their owners or investors.
Former Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Pique’s Kosmos group owns Andorra, another club competing in Spain’s second tier.
Other leading footballers have also become involved in club ownership outside Spain. Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. is part of an investment group that is a majority shareholder in Portuguese club Alverca.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe is also part of an investment group that holds a majority stake in French club SM Caen.
For Messi, the potential acquisition of Eldense represents another step into football ownership while he remains an active professional player with Inter Miami.
The Argentine’s connection with Spanish football is already strong after his long playing career with Barcelona, where he became one of the club’s most successful and recognisable players.
His earlier acquisition of Cornella also gives him an existing involvement in Spanish football at grassroots and youth level.
Eldense’s current position in the Segunda standings means Messi would be taking ownership of a club facing challenges on the field. The club’s rise from the regional divisions to the second tier has nevertheless given it a place in Spain’s professional football structure.
The immediate focus is now on completing the remaining legal and contractual procedures, including due diligence and obtaining the required authorisation from the High Council for Sports.
Until those steps are completed, TH Soluciones Group remains Eldense’s current majority shareholder.
If the transaction receives the necessary approval and is completed, Messi will add Eldense to his growing football investment portfolio alongside Cornella, while continuing his playing career with Inter Miami.
The club has not yet announced when the takeover will officially be completed.
