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

According to a sports economics website, citing Tasnim, Argentine football star Lionel Messi is set to expand his involvement in Spanish football, but this time as an investor and club owner rather than a player. Messi is one of the greatest players in football history.
In recent years, Messi has gradually ventured into football investment, and he is now close to finalizing a deal to acquire 100% of Eldense's shares from a second-division Spanish club. 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 the group controlled by the Argentine star.
Spanish media reports indicate that Messi's lawyers have been in talks with the Colombian investment group TH over the past few months. The group purchased the club's shares from Pascual Pérez in 2025. Pérez had been seeking to sell the club for some time, and in 2023, former Manchester United and Spanish national team goalkeeper David de Gea was even mentioned as a potential buyer of Eldense.
Ultimately, a group of investors led by Juan Carlos Trujillo gained 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 yet 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 after completing the legal procedures, Messi will become the majority shareholder and primary owner of Eldense. The former Barcelona player initially considered a joint purchase of the club with his former Barcelona 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 growth potential.
Eldense's home stadium, Nuevo Pepico Amo, has undergone several renovations in recent years and currently has a capacity of around 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 experience in owning a Spanish club. In April, he acquired 100% of Cornellà's shares from the city of Cornellà de Llobregat in the province of Barcelona. The team competes in the Tercera RFEF league, which is 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 ventures are not limited to Spain. Prior to purchasing Cornellà and entering the Eldense project, he collaborated with Luis Suarez, his 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 champions 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 Messi's status from a football legend to an influential figure in club ownership and management.
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