Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has reached a preliminary agreement to take over Spanish second-tier club Eldense, according to ESPN, which cited a source on Tuesday.
The deal still depends on due diligence and approval from Spain’s National Sports Council.
Eldense is currently owned by Colombian investment group Grupo TH, which also owns clubs in Colombia and Switzerland. If the deal goes through, it will become the second Spanish club owned by Messi.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner bought fifth-tier Cornella in April 2026. The Barcelona-based semi-professional club has produced players such as Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba.
Messi’s Eldense move would mark his first investment in a professional Spanish club. He also has a partial stake in Uruguayan side Deportivo LSM with Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez.
Eldense and Cornella are three divisions apart, but the RFEF would likely prevent both clubs from playing in the same division if Messi becomes majority owner of both.
Founded in 1921, Eldense returned to Spain’s second tier in 2023, before relegation in 2025 and promotion again this summer.
The club have failed to win any of four league games this season. Coach Claudio Barragán was dismissed earlier this week, leaving the team without a manager.
Eldense play at Nuevo Pepico Amat, a 5,776-capacity stadium in Elda.
