Messi Agrees to Take Over Spanish Club Eldense

Lionel Messi, the forward for Inter Miami, has reached a preliminary agreement to take over Spanish second-tier club Eldense, as reported by ESPN. The takeover is subject to due diligence and approval from Spain’s National Sports Council.

Eldense is currently owned by the Colombian investment group Grupo TH. If the deal is finalized, it will mark Messi's second ownership of a Spanish club, having acquired fifth-tier side Cornella in April 2026.

Eldense, founded in 1921, has spent most of its history outside Spain’s top two divisions and returned to the second tier in 2023 after a long absence. However, they were relegated in 2025 but secured promotion back this summer.

The club has had a challenging start to the new season, failing to win any of its first four matches, which led to the dismissal of coach Claudio Barragán. Eldense plays its home matches at the Nuevo Pepico Amat stadium in Elda, which has a capacity of 5,776.