Lionel Messi has become the latest player to own a football club as he completes the purchase of Spanish second-tier club Eldense.
Messi’s interest in buying the team first emerged last month.
Eldense have now announced the purchase of a 100 per cent stake in the club by Messi.
Messi’s lawyers had been in talks for some time with the club’s previous owners, the Colombian investment group TH – led by Juan Carlos Trujillo.
In a statement confirming the news, Eldense said: “Club Deportivo Eldense officially announces the acquisition of the entity by Leo Messi, beginning a new and exciting stage in the more than 100 years of history of the institution.
”The arrival in Spanish professional football as owner of CD Eldense of one of the most important figures in the history of sport marks the beginning of a long-term project with the aim of boosting the sporting, institutional and social development of CD Eldense.
”Founded in 1921, CD Eldense faces this new stage with the ambition to consolidate and grow in professional football, while projecting its roots, history and blue and red feeling.
”The transaction is pending the required authorization from the CSD under the terms established in the Sports Law.”
Eldense have just returned to LaLiga2, the second tier of Spanish football, winning promotion back to the division at the first time of asking having been relegated in the 2024/25 season.
Based in the Valencian city of Elda, Eldense are managed by former Spain striker Claudio Barragan, who won six caps for La Roja in the early 90s.
