Lionel Messi takes another business step, becomes Eldense owner | OneFootball

Lionel Messi expanded his presence in the world of soccer as a businessman. The Argentine officially became the new owner of Club Deportivo Eldense, a Spanish club currently competing in the Segunda División.

The club itself announced the deal and said it marks the beginning of a new chapter in its more than 100 years of history.

The deal is still pending approval from the Higher Sports Council (CSD), according to Eldense’s statement.

Messi joins an Eldense side looking to stay in the Segunda

Messi’s new project begins at a club that has recently gone through several promotions and relegations.

Eldense returned to the Segunda División for the 2026/27 season after winning Group II of the Primera Federación. The team had previously earned a historic promotion to Spain’s second tier in 2023, although it later lost its place and had to return to the third division of Spanish soccer.

At the moment, the sporting outlook is difficult. The Alicante-based side has five points after seven matches and sits in 19th place out of 22 teams, in the relegation zone.

There have also been recent changes on the bench. Claudio Barragán left the position after the first four matchdays, in which he recorded two losses and two draws. He was replaced by Javier Calleja, who previously managed Villarreal, Alavés, Levante, and Real Oviedo, in addition to a brief spell in Saudi Arabia.

Since his arrival, Calleja has suffered defeats against Eibar and Burgos.

Eldense and its historic link to Barcelona

Messi’s arrival also includes a particular detail related to Eldense’s identity.

The club was founded in 1921 by Barcelona supporters, which is why it historically adopted the blue and garnet colors in its kit. The institution itself explains that its founders were fans of the Catalan side.

Now, more than a century later, one of the most important players in Barcelona’s history will be leading the institution.

The Elda City Council has also already publicly expressed its willingness to support the arrival of the new project.

Messi expands his club portfolio

The acquisition of Eldense represents another move in Messi’s growing relationship with the management and ownership of soccer clubs.

The Argentine already holds an ownership stake in Inter Miami, where he continues his playing career. Jorge Mas, one of the MLS club’s owners, has previously said that Messi will remain part of the club’s ownership structure even after retirement.

In addition, Messi is linked to Deportivo LSM, a project he shares with Luis Suárez in Uruguay, and to Leones FC de Rosario, a club connected to his family circle in Argentina.

He also has a stake in Unió Esportiva Cornellà, a Spanish club that competes in the lower divisions.

With Eldense, Messi now takes a different step: his first venture as owner of a professional club in Spain’s Segunda División, although the deal still needs to receive the corresponding approval from the CSD.

The project will seek to combine institutional growth with the immediate sporting objective of an Eldense side currently battling to remain in the second tier.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.