Messi closes in on CD Eldense takeover: From pitch legend to club owner

Messi is getting very close to owning CD Eldense, a team currently playing in the Spanish second division. According to multiple reports from Spain, the former Argentina international has reached an agreement in principle to buy all shares held by TH Soluciones Group S.A.S., a Colombian investment group. An official announcement is expected in the coming days, but the deal still needs approval from Spain's High Council for Sports (CSD). CD Eldense is based in Elda, a town of about 55,000 people in the province of Alicante, eastern Spain. The club has spent most of its history in lower divisions, but after receiving fresh investment, they have featured in the second tier three times in the past four seasons. TH Soluciones took over the club in October 2026, but after only a few months, the group is reportedly set to transfer all shares to Messi, a move that suggests a short-term investment strategy rather than long-term commitment. This is not Messi's first move in football ownership. On April 16, 2026, he bought UE Cornella, a club playing in the fifth tier of Spanish football. In addition, the 2026 World Cup winner is expected to receive a stake in Inter Miami after his current playing contract with the MLS team ends. This shows that Messi's ambition is not limited to a single investment; he is gradually building a network of linked clubs based on his own brand and high-level playing experience. With CD Eldense, the interesting story is not the undisclosed value of the deal, but the current sporting situation of the club. Eldense just sacked coach Claudio Barragan last Sunday after collecting only two points from their opening four league matches. That result leaves them third from bottom of the Segunda Division table. Making a coaching change right before the takeover announcement shows that the club's operational structure is still independent, but it also raises questions about Messi's role in human resources decisions once he officially takes over. Observers are often divided when talking about former star players buying small clubs. One side says this is just a pastime for wealthy people, a way to stay connected to football after retirement. The other side takes it seriously, viewing it as a strategic move by people who understand the commercial value and influence of their own name. In Messi's case, both elements may exist. He no longer plays for the Argentina national team, but his name remains a golden ticket to attract sponsors, media and young talents who want to join a club backed by the Argentine legend. However, there is a major risk that any new owner must face: pressure for results. CD Eldense is not a global brand like Inter Miami, nor are they among the favorites for promotion. They are a small club trying to stay in the Spanish second division. If the team suffers relegation at the end of the season, Messi's presence as owner will not be enough to mask a sporting failure. What Messi needs to do is not just sign the contract; he must build a coaching, scouting and player development system that matches the club's financial capacity. Additionally, this deal must pass legal hurdles. Spain's High Council for Sports has the responsibility to check the financial capacity and suitability of new owners. For a globally famous figure like Messi, passing this test is probably not too difficult, but the process could still take weeks. If it is not approved, the whole deal would collapse, and CD Eldense would have to find another investor. One notable point is the kind of clubs Messi chooses. They are not located in major football centers like Madrid or Barcelona. UE Cornella is in Catalonia, while CD Eldense is in a small town in Alicante. This strategy allows him to buy clubs at a lower cost, reduce media pressure, and create an inspiring story for local communities. If successful, it could become a model for other former players to follow. From a purely sporting perspective, the Messi-Eldense deal is a major test of whether a legend can turn personal fame into sustainable value for a small club. History has seen many former players fail in management because they were too used to the role of a player. Messi is now 38 years old, but he is still proving that he can venture into an entirely new field. The coming weeks will be crucial, not only for Eldense fans, but also for anyone who believes football beyond the pitch still has many stories worth following.