Messi agrees deal to take over LaLiga 2 club
By Joel Masibo, September 9, 2026Lionel Messi is reportedly on the verge of becoming the owner of Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense after reaching an agreement in principle for a full takeover.
According to Sky Sports News, the Inter Miami forward has struck a preliminary agreement with Grupo TH Soluciones, the current owners of Eldense. The proposed transaction would see Messi acquire the entire 100 per cent ownership of the Alicante-based club.
The deal has yet to be completed, with the takeover still requiring the necessary legal and contractual processes to be concluded. Approval from Spain’s National Sports Council will also be required before the acquisition can officially go through.
If completed, Eldense would become the second Spanish club in which Messi has taken an ownership stake. The Argentine superstar previously purchased fifth-tier outfit Cornella in April.
Eldense are currently enduring a difficult start to the campaign. They have collected just two points from their opening four LaLiga 2 matches, leaving them 20th in the standings. The club also parted company with head coach Claudio Barragan earlier this week.
Messi’s relationship with Spanish football dates back to his teenage years. He moved from Argentina to Barcelona at the age of 13 and made his first-team debut for the Catalan giants as a 17-year-old in 2004.
During his remarkable Barcelona career, Messi established himself as one of football’s greatest-ever players, scoring 672 goals in 778 appearances before leaving the club for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
Following two seasons in France, he continued his career in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, the club co-owned by former England captain David Beckham.
The latest development would represent another significant step into football ownership for Messi as he begins to build a portfolio of investments in the Spanish game.
International retirement
Messi announced his retirement from Argentina duty after winning 207 caps.
The 39-year-old, who made his Argentina debut in 2005, won the World Cup in 2022 and was a runner-up this summer and in 2014. He also secured two Copa América titles.
Messi wrote in a statement: “It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all – not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too,”
“I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football. “
“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.” He said on Monday, August 31, 2026.