Full Breakdown
Lionel Messi Nears Completion of Purchase of Spanish Second-Division Club CD Eldelse
9/9/2026, 4:09:46 AM
Messi’s Preliminary Agreement to Acquire Eldense
Lionel Messi, the 39-year-old Inter Miami forward, has reached a preliminary agreement to acquire 100 % of the shares of CD Eldense, a Segunda División club. The deal would transfer ownership from the Colombian-based investment group TH Soluciones Group S.A.S. (Grupo TH) to Messi, pending financial due-diligence and approval by Spain’s High Council for Sports (CSD). If finalized, Eldense would become the first professional Spanish club fully owned by Messi, adding to his earlier purchase of UE Cornellà.
Background & Context
Messi entered Spanish club ownership in April 2026 with the acquisition of UE Cornellà, a Catalan side in the fifth tier. Eldense, founded in 1921 in the town of Elda (province of Alicante, population ~55,000), has spent most of its history in lower divisions. Recent investment saw the club promoted to the second tier for three of the past four seasons, relegated in 2025 and returned again in the summer of 2025.
Timeline
- April 16, 2026 – Messi acquires UE Cornellà.
- September 5, 2026 – Messi photographed before an Inter Miami match in Miami.
- September 8, 2026 – Spanish reports state Messi is close to completing the Eldense deal.
- Early September 2026 – Eldense dismisses manager Claudio Barragán after two points from four league matches, leaving the club near the bottom of the table.
Data & Statistics
- Stadium: Nuevo Pepico Amat, capacity 5,776.
- League position: 20th in Segunda División (early September 2026).
- Season ticket holders: ~3,500.
- Ownership history: TH Soluciones Group acquired Eldense in October 2025 from Pascual Pérez; the group is led by businessman Juan Carlos Trujillo.
- Recent performance: Two points from the opening four matches; first-season managerial casualty in the division.
Official Statements & Responses
- A spokesperson for TH confirmed that its lawyers are negotiating with Messi’s legal team and that the agreement is “in principle” pending due-diligence and CSD authorization.
- Eldense representatives said the club’s board has approved the transfer of shares to Messi, subject to the same regulatory steps.
- The CSD has not issued a statement but is expected to review the transaction under standard ownership-approval procedures.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Nature of the agreement: Outlets describe the deal as a “preliminary agreement,” a “verbal agreement,” or say Messi is “close to completing” the purchase. All agree the transaction is not yet final.
- Ownership entity: Sources refer to the seller as “Grupo TH,” “TH Soluciones Group S.A.S.,” or simply “TH.”
- Future managerial appointment: No source has confirmed who will replace Barragán, leaving a gap in the club’s short-term sporting plan.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I leave with the peace and pride of having given you, along with my teammates, dreamlike moments. It was incredible to have experienced it with you all. I love you!” — Lionel Messi
What’s Next
- Completion of financial and contractual due-diligence, expected “in the coming days” according to multiple Spanish media reports.
- Formal CSD approval, after which an official announcement of Messi’s ownership is anticipated.
- Eldense will need to appoint a new head coach to address its early-season struggles and avoid relegation.
