Lionel Messi completes purchase of Spanish club CD Eldense

Lionel Messi has officially completed his takeover of Spanish second-tier side CD Eldense, establishing himself as the club's majority owner. The transaction follows a preliminary agreement reached last month to acquire all shares held by the previous majority shareholder, a Colombian investment group identified by sources as TH Soluciones Group SAS or Grupo TH Soluciones. CD Eldense announced the finalized acquisition, with the club describing the event as the start of a new chapter in its century-long history.

Founded in 1921 and based in Elda within Spain's Alicante province, the club outlined ambitious plans under its new leadership.

"Club Deportivo Eldense officially announces the acquisition of the club by Leo Messi, marking the start of a new and exciting chapter in the club's history, which spans more than a hundred years"

Media additions

Lionel Messi buys a Spanish club! (Official)

CD Eldense, Club statement, via BBC Sport and Strait Times

The Alicante-based team stated that the long-term project aims to boost sporting, institutional, and social development while preserving the institution's historical roots and blue-and-red identity. Bluewin and other outlets note that the club intends to establish itself further in professional football.

While the ownership change has been formally announced, the transaction remains subject to mandatory authorization from Spain's High Council for Sports, known as the CSD, under the terms established by the country's Sports Law. Several outlets, including Bluewin, report that this final regulatory clearance is viewed as a formality. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed by the club.

On the pitch, the incoming ownership faces an immediate challenge. Eldense has endured a difficult start to the campaign and currently sits 19th in the 22-team Segunda Division standings. Outlets such as the Strait Times and Reuters report that the club has recorded four losses from its opening seven matches, earning just five points so far. FOX Sports and additional sources note that the team recently dismissed its coach following the difficult opening stretch. The side is locked in a battle to avoid relegation in a division that also includes former La Liga clubs.

Club	Division	Acquisition Timeline	Ownership Status
CD Eldense	Spanish Segunda Division (2nd tier)	Preliminary agreement in September, announced completed in October	Majority acquisition pending CSD approval
UE Cornella	Spanish 5th tier	Completed April	Fully acquired

Despite the star power attached to the new owner, India Today points out that Eldense will not necessarily engage in heavy transfer spending. Strict salary-limit rules enforced across Spanish professional football place significant restrictions on clubs, meaning Eldense must navigate financial regulations carefully while fighting to secure its status in the division.

This investment marks Messi's second club purchase in Spain this year. The 39-year-old forward acquired Catalan fifth-tier side UE Cornella in April, a club known for its academy work. FOX Sports reported earlier figures regarding the Cornella purchase, while Mirror and other sources highlight that Messi's growing off-pitch portfolio also includes co-ownership stakes in Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, where he currently plays, alongside links to other football ventures.

Other high-profile footballers have similarly expanded into club ownership. According to India Today, former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique's Kosmos group owns Andorra, while Real Madrid forwards Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe hold majority stakes in Portuguese club Alverca and French side SM Caen respectively.

The immediate next step for CD Eldense is the formal review and clearance by the CSD under Spanish sports law, alongside efforts by the squad to climb out of the relegation zone under the new ownership.