Lionel Messi Agrees Deal in Principle to Buy Spanish Club CD Eldense
Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to buy 100 per cent of CD Eldense, with the Spanish Segunda Division club’s takeover now awaiting approval from the Higher Sports Council.
What we know
- The deal is expected to be completed once due diligence is finished and the CSD formally ratifies the transaction.
- Messi would take full control of the Alicante-based club without outside shareholders involved in the purchase.
- Eldense had been owned by an international investment group led by Juan Carlos Trujillo since its October 2025 acquisition from Pascual Perez.
- Argentine investor Ricardo Pini had proposed a €12 million offer, but Messi’s interest changed the direction of negotiations.
- The move would add Eldense to the Messi family’s growing football portfolio, which already includes Spanish fifth-tier side UE Cornella, Uruguayan club Deportivo LSM with Luis Suarez, and Lions FC, where Messi’s brother Matias is president.
- Eldense have made a troubled start to the campaign, collecting only two points from four league matches before dismissing coach Claudio Barragan.
What happens next
The CSD must sign off on the ownership change before Messi can be formally confirmed as Eldense’s sole shareholder. The club also need to appoint Barragan’s replacement quickly as they attempt to arrest their early Segunda Division slide.
