Inter Miami star forward Lionel Messi is expanding his presence in the European football business. The Argentine player has become the full owner of the Spanish club Eldense, which competes in the country's second-tier division. The deal involves acquiring 100% of the shares previously controlled by the Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group.
Historical Connection to Barcelona
A special symbolic meaning to this purchase is given by the fact that Eldense football club was founded in 1921 by dedicated supporters of Catalan giants Barcelona. For this reason, the team from the province of Alicante wears traditional blaugrana colors, so close to Lionel Messi's heart. For the Argentine, who spent the best years of his playing career at Camp Nou, managing a club with such history is not just a business project, but a tribute to his roots.
New Scale of Investment in Spain
It is worth noting that this is the second investment by the Argentine footballer in Spanish football recently. In April of the current year 2026, Messi acquired the Catalan club Cornellà, which plays in the lower divisions. However, the acquisition of Eldense takes the player's investment activities to a fundamentally different level, as it involves a stable professional club in the second division.
Official Approval and Regulatory Nuances
Despite the agreements reached and documents signed, the deal to purchase Eldense is still awaiting mandatory approval from Spain's Higher Sports Council (CSD). This procedure is necessary due to strict legislative restrictions in the country regarding the ownership of stakes in multiple professional clubs simultaneously. The team's management expects successful completion of all checks and the launch of a long-term development program.
