Messi now owns two Spanish clubs

Lionel Messi has officially acquired Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense, making it the second Spanish club owned by the Inter Miami star.

Eldense confirmed the takeover on Thursday, saying the deal marks a “new and exciting chapter” in the club’s more than 100-year history. The club said Messi’s arrival as owner would launch a long-term project aimed at developing its sporting, institutional and social activities.

Eldense was previously owned by Colombian investment group Grupo TH, which also owns clubs in Colombia and Switzerland. The deal is still awaiting approval from Spain’s National Sports Council.

Eldense is the second Spanish club owned by Messi. The former Barcelona and Argentina forward also owns fifth-tier side UE Cornellà, which he acquired earlier this year.

This is Messi’s first investment in a professional football club. Cornellà currently operates at a semi-professional level.

The two clubs are separated by three divisions, meaning their ownership is unlikely to create an immediate conflict. However, Messi’s dual ownership could become an issue if the clubs eventually compete in the same division, as the Royal Spanish Football Federation generally does not allow two clubs in the same division to have the same majority shareholder.

Founded in 1921, Eldense spent most of its history outside Spain’s top two divisions. The club reached the second tier for the first time since 1964 in 2023 but was relegated in 2025 and now plays in the third tier.

Eldense plays its home matches at the 5,776-capacity Nuevo Pepico Amat Stadium in Elda.

-AJM