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Messi agrees in principle to buy majority stake in Eldense

9/9/2026

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Summary

Messi Buys Eldense

Lionel Messi reached an agreement in principle to become majority owner of CD Eldense.
Eldense sits 20th in Spain’s Segunda División with two points from four games.
Completion of the purchase requires due diligence, final legal steps, and approval from the High Council for Sports.
Messi previously bought UE Cornellà, a fifth-tier Spanish club, on April 16, 2026.

Summary

Eldense Promoted

Eldense earned promotion this summer, returning to Spain’s professional ranks after its 2025 relegation.
Grupo TH, the Colombian investment group that owns Eldense, also holds stakes in clubs in Colombia and Switzerland.
Eldense’s home stadium, Nuevo Pepico Amat, seats 5,776 spectators, reflecting modest infrastructure.
The club first reached Spain’s second tier in 2023, its inaugural appearance since 1964.

History

Historical Context

David Beckham’s 2014 co-ownership of MLS expansion club Inter Miami CF illustrated the league’s single-entity model, where 30 investor-operators run teams under MLS LLC. The approach echoes earlier MLS expansions such as the Miami Fusion (1997-2001). Messi’s 2026 plan to acquire majority control of Spain’s CD Eldense follows that precedent, showing elite athletes increasingly shaping club finances and promotion goals.

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Messi Buys Eldense

Lionel Messi reached an agreement in principle to become majority owner of CD Eldense.
Eldense sits 20th in Spain’s Segunda División with two points from four games.
Completion of the purchase requires due diligence, final legal steps, and approval from the High Council for Sports.
Messi previously bought UE Cornellà, a fifth-tier Spanish club, on April 16, 2026.

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