Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has reached a preliminary agreement to take over Spanish second-tier club Eldense, according to reports.
The proposed deal is still subject to due diligence and approval from Spain’s National Sports Council. Eldense are currently owned by Colombian investment group Grupo TH, which also has clubs in Colombia and Switzerland.
If completed, the acquisition would make Eldense the second Spanish club owned by Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner acquired fifth-tier Cornella in April 2026, although that club operates at the semi-professional level.
A takeover of Eldense would therefore mark Messi’s first ownership of a professional Spanish football club. He is also involved with Uruguayan side Deportivo LSM alongside former Barcelona and current Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez.
Founded in 1921, Eldense have spent most of their history outside Spain’s top two divisions. The club returned to the second tier in 2023 for the first time since 1964 but were relegated in 2025 before securing promotion back to the division this summer.
The club have struggled since returning, failing to win any of their opening four matches this season. Their poor start led to the dismissal of coach Claudio Barragán earlier this week, leaving Eldense without a manager.
Messi’s potential ownership would add another major name to Spanish football’s growing list of celebrity and international investors, although any immediate clash with Cornella would be unlikely because the two clubs are currently separated by three divisions.
