Messi’s new project in Spanish football goes beyond mere investment

According to a sports economics platform, citing Tasnim, Argentine football star Lionel Messi is set to expand his involvement in Spanish football, but this time not as a player, but as an investor and club owner. Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to acquire a 100% stake in Eldense, a club competing in Spain's second division.
The negotiations between the parties have reached their final stages, and once the remaining legal formalities are completed, the club's ownership is expected to be officially transferred to a group controlled by the Argentine star. Messi's lawyers have been in talks with a Colombian investment group, TH, over the past few months, according to Spanish media reports. This group had purchased the club's shares from Pascual Pérez in 2025, who had been seeking to sell the club for some time. In 2023, former Manchester United and Spanish national team goalkeeper David de Gea was also mentioned as a potential buyer of Eldense.
However, a group of investors led by Juan Carlos Trujillo eventually took full control of the club, and just one year later, they have agreed to sell shares to Messi's representatives. The final deal amount has not been disclosed, but media reports suggest that the previous owners valued the club at around 12 million euros.
The preliminary agreement between the two parties was reached on September 8, and upon completion of the legal procedures, Messi will become a major shareholder and the primary owner of Eldense. The former Barcelona player had initially considered a joint purchase of the club with his former teammates Carles Puyol and Andres Iniesta, but ultimately decided to pursue the project independently.
Messi's involvement could bring significant changes to Eldense's structure and future. The club is based in the city of Elda, located in the province of Alicante within the autonomous community of Valencia, and currently has approximately 3,500 season ticket holders. Given the city's population of around 55,000, this figure indicates substantial potential for growth.
Eldense's home stadium, Nuevo Pepico Amo, has undergone several renovations in recent years and currently has a capacity of about 5,800 spectators. However, Messi's presence in the club's ownership structure could significantly alter the situation. The Argentine star's global popularity is expected to attract increased attention from fans, media, and sponsors to the club.
The Spanish newspaper AS also believes that Messi's involvement could boost Eldense's popularity in the Medio Vinalopó region and other parts of Alicante province, creating new opportunities to attract major sponsors and drive the club's commercial development.
This is not Messi's first venture into owning Spanish clubs. In April, he acquired a 100% stake in Cornellà, a club based in the city of Cornellà de Llobregat in the province of Barcelona, which competes in the Tercera RFEF league, the fifth tier of Spanish football. One of the primary goals of Messi's project in Cornellà is to develop the club's infrastructure and modernize its academy, with a focus on nurturing young talent. Gerard Martin, a current Barcelona defender, also has a background in the Cornellà academy.
Messi's ownership activities are not limited to Spain. Prior to his purchase of Cornellà and involvement in the Eldense project, he partnered with Luis Suarez, a former Barcelona teammate and current Inter Miami teammate, to establish a club in Uruguay.
The club, named Deportivo LSM, derives its name from the initials of its owners, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi. The team began its journey in the fourth division of Uruguayan football, became champion of these competitions in November 2025, and earned promotion to the third division. The club is based in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.
In this way, Messi is gradually building an international football network that began in South America and is now expanding through investments in Spanish clubs. The potential acquisition of Eldense could mark his most significant step in this direction, elevating his status from a football legend to an influential figure in club ownership and management.
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