Messi reaches preliminary deal for majority stake in Eldense

Spanish second-division club Eldense said on 9 September 2026 that it had reached a “preliminary agreement” with Lionel Messi for him to acquire the shares held by Grupo TH Soluciones, which would make the Inter Miami forward the club’s majority shareholder. Eldense said the deal remains subject to due diligence and to authorisation from Spain’s National Sports Council, the CSD.

What did Eldense announce?

Eldense, based in Alicante, said the purchase of the shares held by Grupo TH Soluciones would make Lionel Messi the club’s majority shareholder. The club’s statement set out the conditions still attached to the deal:

“A preliminary agreement has been reached with Lionel Messi for the acquisition of the shares currently owned by Grupo TH Soluciones, which would make him the club’s majority shareholder. The transaction is currently subject to the completion of the remaining legal and contractual procedures, including the due diligence process, as well as the required authorisation from the Spanish National Sports Council (CSD).”

BBC Sport said it had approached Messi for comment.

Which other Spanish club has Messi invested in?

Cornellà, in the fifth tier of Spanish football, became the first Spanish club Messi invested in when he bought into the Catalan side in April. Cornellà said at the time that Messi’s ownership “reinforces his close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalonia”. Eldense would be the second Spanish club in which he holds a stake.

Where are Eldense and how are they doing this season?

Eldense are 20th in La Liga 2, Spain’s second division, with two points from four games this season. The Alicante-based club parted ways with head coach Claudio Barragán earlier this week.

What is Messi’s record in Spanish football?

Messi left Argentina for Spain when he was 13 and made his first-team debut for Barcelona aged 17 in October 2004. He scored a club record 672 goals in 778 games before leaving for Paris St-Germain in 2021, and joined Major League Soccer side Inter Miami in 2023. Now 39, he retired from international football after Argentina were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

Has another footballer bought into a Spanish club?

Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s former Real Madrid rival, bought a 25% stake in the Spanish side Almería in February. Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Frequently asked questions

Did Lionel Messi buy Eldense?

Not yet. Eldense said it reached a preliminary agreement for Messi to acquire the shares held by Grupo TH Soluciones and become the club’s majority shareholder, subject to due diligence and authorisation from Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD).

How many Spanish clubs does Lionel Messi have a stake in?

Eldense would be the second. Messi bought into the Catalan fifth-tier club Cornellà in April, the first Spanish side he invested in.

How is Eldense performing this season?

Eldense have two points from four games and sit 20th in La Liga 2. The club parted ways with head coach Claudio Barragán earlier this week.

Who else has bought a stake in a Spanish football club?

Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s former Real Madrid rival, bought a 25% stake in Spanish side Almería in February. He plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

With reporting from BBC News.

Stock image, not from the events described. City Skyline — Matt Bango / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)