Lionel Messi reaches agreement in principle to acquire 100% of Spanish second-division club Eldense
Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to acquire 100% of CD Eldense, a Spanish Segunda División club based in Elda, Valencia. The deal, confirmed by Elda's mayor and pending approval from Spain's Supreme Sports Council, follows Messi's earlier purchase of UE Cornella. The acquisition would make Messi the sole owner, outpacing other interest including a rumored €12 million offer. Eldense recently sacked coach Claudio Barragan after a winless start to the season.
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Common ground
- Both agree that Spanish football governance has serious flaws, with weak oversight and a history of clubs being mismanaged.
- Both agree that Messi's brand creates a unique incentive structure, making his ownership different from a sovereign wealth fund or purely extractive owner.
- Both agree that the deal is neither a fairy tale nor a disaster, but a calculated investment that requires scrutiny.
- Both agree that fans should demand a transparent five-year plan from Messi's team.
- Both agree that the long-term risk is real, whether from neglect or loss of brand value as Messi ages.
Points of contention
- Neutral Agent argues that brand value and community value can be mutually reinforcing for a small club like Eldense, while Western Agent insists they often conflict, citing Malaga as an example.
- Neutral Agent believes Messi's personal reputation creates accountability, while Western Agent argues that celebrity ownership doesn't protect fans from hollowing out or neglect.
- Neutral Agent sees the deal as a specific case with unique variables, while Western Agent views it as a symptom of a systemic democratic deficit in football governance.
- Neutral Agent thinks the main risk is benign neglect when Messi's attention fades, while Western Agent worries more about extraction of community value for commercial gain.
Blind spots
- Neither side fully examined Eldense's current financial health, which could determine whether Messi's investment is a lifeline or a threat.
- Both overlooked the role of La Liga's financial fair play rules, which impose real constraints on debt and spending for second-division clubs.
- The debate didn't consider how Messi's age (37) and eventual brand decline might affect the club's long-term sustainability beyond a simple neglect scenario.
WorldAttention’s read
This debate shows that Messi's purchase of Eldense is a nuanced case—neither a football fairy tale nor a sign of systemic collapse. Both sides agree that Spanish football governance is broken, but they disagree on whether Messi's unique brand incentives make him a better owner or just a more famous face on the same flawed model. The real blind spots are Eldense's current finances and the long-term impact of Messi's aging brand. Fans should be cautiously optimistic but demand a clear five-year plan, because the truth is messier than either narrative allows: Messi might be a better owner than most, but 'better than the alternatives' is a low bar when the system itself is broken.
Wire timeline
Lionel Messi reaches agreement in principle to purchase Spanish second-tier club Eldense
Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to buy Spanish second-division club Eldense, pending approval from the Spanish High Council for Sports. The deal would see the 39-year-old Inter Miami star acquire 100% of the club, with due diligence underway. This follows Messi's purchase of fifth-tier side UE Cornella in April. The acquisition would set up a rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, who bought a 25% stake in fellow second-division team Almeria in February. Eldense, based in Elda in the Valencia region, earned promotion to the Segunda Division in 2023 after a 59-year absence. The club recently sacked head coach Claudio Barragan after a winless start to the season. Sources indicate Messi is expected to take an active role in running the club. Messi recently retired from international football after captaining Argentina to World Cup victory and continues to play for Inter Miami in MLS, where he has recorded 18 goals and 10 assists this season.
Lionel Messi to Acquire 100 Percent of CD Eldense, a Valencia-Based Football Team
Lionel Messi is set to acquire 100 percent of CD Eldense, a second-tier Spanish football team based in Elda, in the autonomous community of Valencia. The former Barcelona star is reportedly close to finalizing a complete takeover, according to Spanish outlet Marca. This follows his earlier purchase of a 100 percent stake in Catalonian team UE Cornella earlier this year. Messi also holds a direct equity option in his Major League Soccer team, Inter Miami. The deal would place Messi alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gerard Pique as club owners in Spain’s LaLiga 2. Ronaldo holds a 25 percent stake in UD Almeria, while Pique’s Kosmos Holding owns 90 percent of FC Andorra. CD Eldense is currently owned by Colombian businessman Juan Carlos Trujillo and his investment group. The club achieved three promotions in three seasons between 2021 and 2023, was relegated to the third tier in 2025, and was promoted again last season. They are winless in their opening four matches of the 2026-27 LaLiga 2 campaign. If approved, Eldense will join Cornella, Inter Miami, and Messi’s hotel and tech investment firm in his portfolio.
Lionel Messi close to purchasing Spanish football club Eldense
Reports indicate that football superstar Lionel Messi is close to an agreement to purchase the Spanish football club Eldense, adding it to his growing portfolio of clubs. The deal would expand Messi's business empire, which has been actively securing new investments. The acquisition of Eldense, a club based in Elda, Spain, represents a significant move into club ownership for the Argentine World Cup winner. Messi's business interests have been diversifying in recent years, and this potential purchase signals his continued expansion into the sports industry beyond his playing career. The news was shared via a social media post accompanied by a Getty Images photograph of Messi.
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Messi Reaches Agreement to Acquire Eldense in Highly Confidential Negotiations
According to Mundo Deportivo, Lionel Messi has reached a preliminary agreement with the Colombian TH Group to acquire all shares of Spanish football club Eldense. The negotiations were conducted with extreme secrecy, with only a small circle aware that Messi was the buyer. Most club staff, including the first team and coaching staff, only learned of Messi's involvement through media reports after the fact. The ownership group gradually distanced themselves from staff in recent weeks to avoid complications. Despite the ownership change, sporting directors Víctor Lafuente and Alonso Cortés are expected to continue overseeing recruitment. The club's recent transfer window activity, which saw several well-known players signed, was later revealed to have been driven by Messi. The Elda City Council was informed several days before the public announcement. The news came as a shock to fans and internal staff alike, who had sensed changes were coming after the dismissal of head coach Claudio Barragán but did not anticipate Messi as the new owner.
Elda Mayor Confirms Messi Reaches Agreement in Principle to Acquire CD Eldense
The Mayor of Elda, Rubén Alfaro, has confirmed that Lionel Messi's team has communicated an agreement in principle to acquire CD Eldense, a Spanish Segunda División club. Contrary to earlier reports suggesting a joint acquisition with Andrés Iniesta and Carles Puyol, Messi plans to acquire the club independently. The Elda municipal government stated the agreement is expected to be officially signed within the next few days. Alfaro revealed he met with Eldense president Carolina Orquín, who expressed willingness to sell, and subsequently contacted Messi's team. The mayor noted that the local government's 12-year effort to stabilize the club's management has made it attractive to global investors. Eldense returned to the Segunda División in 2023 after a 60-year absence. The current owners, Colombian investment group TH led by Juan Carlos Trujillo and Orquín, are negotiating the sale. If finalized, this would be Messi's second takeover of a Spanish football club in 2024, following his acquisition of UE Cornellà in April.
Messi Reaches Agreement in Principle to Acquire Spanish Second Division Club Eldense
According to a report from Marca, Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to acquire Spanish Segunda División club CD Eldense. The deal, if finalized, would see Messi become the sole owner of the club, holding 100% of its shares with no third-party involvement. This acquisition is part of Messi's broader strategy to leverage his personal influence in football into commercial investments in Spain, following his earlier purchase of Catalan third-tier club UE Cornella earlier this year. Eldense, based in Elda, Alicante Province, was recently promoted to the second division. The club is currently owned by an international investment group led by businessman Juan Carlos Trujillo, who bought it in October 2025. Messi's bid reportedly outpaces other interest, including a rumored €12 million offer from Argentine Ricardo Pini. The deal is subject to final legal procedures, due diligence, and approval from Spain's Supreme Sports Council. On the pitch, Eldense recently fired coach Claudio Barragan after a poor start to the season, with only 2 points from four matches.