‎Lionel Messi completes takeover of Spanish second tier club

‎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.