Lionel Messi has reached a landmark agreement to purchase a 100 percent stake in Spanish second-division side Eldense, expanding his growing football investment portfolio in Spain. The complete takeover of the Segunda División club is finalized and awaits an official announcement, making Eldense the latest European team under the ownership of the 38-year-old Argentina international. The acquisition marks a major strategic step in Messi’s off-pitch endeavors as he continues to combine active play for Inter Miami CF with long-term club stewardship.
This takeover comes shortly after Messi secured ownership of UE Cornellà, a fifth-tier Spanish side competing in the Tercera Federación. Expanding his portfolio to a second Spanish outfit introduces regulatory considerations under the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). Should Eldense and Cornellà ever compete in the same division, federation rules could impact Messi’s ability to maintain majority shareholder status in both clubs simultaneously. Nonetheless, the full buyout of Eldense demonstrates Messi’s ambitious vision to establish institutional footholds across multiple tiers of Spanish football.
Messi’s entry into European club ownership began with UE Cornellà, a modest side founded in 1951 in a working-class neighborhood in Cornellà de Llobregat, located near Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium. Despite competing in Spain’s lower divisions, Cornellà boasts a respected reputation for talent development. The club helped nurture high-profile figures including Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, current Barcelona defender Gerard Martín, Austin FC midfielder Ilie Sánchez, and Messi’s long-time teammate Jordi Alba, who spent two seasons at Cornellà after leaving Barcelona’s La Masia academy at age 16.
The dual investments reflect Messi’s broader commitment to driving institutional growth and backing youth development across Spain and international football. Having joined Barcelona at age 13 before going on to score 672 goals in 778 appearances over 21 years at the club, Messi’s deep roots in Spanish football remain strong. His interest in youth development was recently highlighted by the inaugural Messi Cup at Chase Stadium in Miami, an under-16 tournament featuring elite global academies such as Barcelona, Manchester City and Chelsea.
As Messi continues his playing career with Inter Miami and prepares to represent Argentina in their World Cup defense across North America, his expanding business ventures signal a clear commitment to shaping the sport’s infrastructure for years to come. Acquiring complete control of Eldense gives the legendary forward a direct, high-level operational foundation within competitive professional football in Spain.
