Full Breakdown
Lionel Messi Nears Majority Ownership of Spanish Second-Division Club CD Eldonde
9/9/2026, 3:29:19 PM
Core Deal Overview
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, 39, has reached a preliminary agreement to purchase 100 percent of the shares of CD Eldonde, a club in Spain’s Segunda División. The shares are held by Colombian investment firm TH Soluciones Group SAS. Completion depends on due-diligence and authorisation by Spain’s High Council for Sports (CSD).
Background & Context
Messi entered Spanish club ownership on April 16 when he bought UE Cornellà, a fifth-tier side in Barcelona. He remains an active player with Inter Miami and has retired from the Argentina national team after the 2026 World Cup final.
Club Profile & Current Situation
- Founded: 1921; Location: Elda, Alicante.
- Stadium: Nuevo Pepico Amat (capacity 5,776).
- League Position: 20th in Segunda División, two points from four matches, no wins.
- Management: Head coach Claudio Barragán was dismissed earlier this week, leaving the club without a manager.
- Ownership History: TH Soluciones Group acquired a controlling stake in October 2025, taking over from former owner Pascual Pérez.
Transaction Details
Messi’s agreement calls for the purchase of all shares owned by TH Soluciones Group. The deal is “preliminary” – terms are agreed but final legal steps remain:
1. Completion of a comprehensive audit (due-diligence).
2. Securing CSD authorisation.
Spanish reports on September 8 said the deal could be finalised “in the coming days,” though Eldonde could not give a fixed date.
Potential Implications
If completed, Eldonde will be Messi’s first fully professional Spanish club, unlike the semi-professional Cornellà. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is expected to prevent both clubs from competing in the same division, a scenario that would only arise if Cornellà were promoted. The move adds to Messi’s sports-business portfolio, which already includes a future stake in Inter Miami and involvement in Uruguay’s Deportivo LSM with former teammate Luis Suárez.
Official Statements & Responses
Eldonde confirmed the operation is pending final legal procedures, due-diligence and CSD authorisation, and that it cannot specify an exact completion date. TH Soluciones Group has been contacted for comment.
What’s Next
The decisive hurdle is CSD authorisation. If the council grants approval within the next few days, Messi will become the majority shareholder of CD Eldonde, marking a milestone in his post-playing career investments.
