Argentina and Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has signed the formal agreement to acquire 100 per cent of the shares of Spanish second-division club CD Eldense, taking another major step towards becoming the sole owner of the club.
The development marks the latest expansion of Messi’s growing involvement in football ownership and follows the preliminary agreement reached earlier this month for the Argentine football icon to take control of the Alicante-based club. Blueprint reports
According to reports available on Wednesday, Messi has now executed the purchase agreement for the entire shareholding of Eldense. However, the transaction is not yet legally complete, as it remains subject to the necessary authorisation from Spain’s Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD), or High Council for Sports...To Read The Full Content; Tap Here Now .
The approval process means Messi has signed the acquisition documents but has yet to become the club’s officially registered owner. Once the regulatory requirements are completed, the 39-year-old is expected to assume full control of the Spanish second-tier outfit.
From agreement in principle to signed purchase
The latest development follows the announcement earlier in September that Messi had reached an agreement in principle to acquire the club from Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group S.A.S., which held the shares targeted in the transaction.
Eldense had confirmed that the initial agreement involved the acquisition of 100 per cent of the shares held by the investment group, although the club initially stressed that the transaction remained subject to due diligence, legal and contractual procedures and approval from the Spanish sports authorities.
The signing of the purchase agreement represents a further step towards completing the transaction.
Reports indicate that the final regulatory approval could take days or weeks, meaning Messi’s ownership will only become official once the required authorisation is granted.
Spanish outlet Cadena SER also reported that Messi had formalised the purchase, while noting that the CSD approval remains outstanding.
Messi expands Spanish football portfolio
If the regulatory process is completed as expected, Eldense will become Messi’s second football club in Spain.
The former Barcelona captain acquired UE Cornellà earlier in 2026, giving him an initial foothold in Spanish club ownership. Cornellà competes in the lower levels of the Spanish football pyramid and has been recognised for its youth-development structure, with several academy players having progressed to Barcelona over the years.
The acquisition of Eldense represents a considerably different proposition because the club operates in Spain’s professional second division.
Eldense, based in the city of Elda in Alicante province, has a long history dating back to its establishment in 1921. The club recently reached Spain’s second tier after spending periods in the regional and lower divisions.
The proposed takeover would therefore give Messi direct ownership of a professional Spanish football club while he remains an active player with Inter Miami.
Building a football ownership project
Messi’s decision to expand into club ownership has been interpreted as part of a broader effort to establish a long-term presence in football beyond his playing career.
The Argentine superstar spent the majority of his professional career in Spain with Barcelona before moving to Paris Saint-Germain and subsequently Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
His growing investment in clubs means his involvement in football is increasingly extending beyond what happens on the pitch.
The Eldense project also places Messi in a different role from that which made him globally famous. Instead of being the player around whom a club’s sporting strategy is built, he will potentially become the individual responsible for the wider direction and ownership of the organisation.
Reports from Spain have suggested that Messi and his representatives are already considering sporting plans for the club, including the possibility of changes to the technical leadership. AS reported that Madrid-based coach Javi Calleja was being considered as a possible option to take charge of the team, although no agreement had been finalised.
Eldense’s current position
The takeover comes at an important point in Eldense’s campaign as the club continues competing in the Spanish second division.
The club’s progress into professional football has attracted increased attention since the initial announcement of Messi’s interest.
Reports said Eldense had struggled at the beginning of the current campaign before recording its first victory of the season against Sporting Gijón. Cadena SER reported that Messi subsequently reacted to the club’s social-media post celebrating the 0-1 away victory.
The arrival of an owner of Messi’s profile could therefore bring significant international attention to the club, although the immediate sporting implications will depend on the decisions taken once the acquisition is formally approved.
Regulatory approval still required
Despite the excitement surrounding the development, the transaction should not yet be regarded as fully completed.
The Spanish sports authorities still have to approve the change in ownership. This requirement was part of the conditions attached to the original agreement and remains outstanding following the signing of the purchase documents.
The distinction is important because signing the acquisition agreement and receiving regulatory approval are separate stages of the ownership process.
Once the CSD gives its approval and the remaining formalities are concluded, Messi would become the sole owner of 100 per cent of Eldense’s shares under the terms of the agreement.
Another chapter in Messi’s post-playing career
The Eldense acquisition also offers an indication of how Messi may continue his relationship with football beyond his playing career.
At 39, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains an active professional with Inter Miami, but his investments suggest that club ownership is becoming an increasingly important part of his long-term football interests.
He is also associated with other football projects, including Deportivo LSM in Uruguay, where he has partnered with former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez.
His growing portfolio places him among a number of prominent football figures who have moved into club ownership or investment after establishing themselves as elite players.
Former Barcelona teammate Gerard Piqué, for instance, has been involved in the ownership of FC Andorra, while other current and former football stars have also invested in clubs across Europe.
For Eldense, however, the significance of Messi’s arrival extends beyond his celebrity status. His ownership could potentially increase the club’s international visibility and provide a new platform for its long-term sporting and commercial development.
For now, the next major step is the approval of the transaction by Spain’s High Council for Sports.
Once that process is completed, Lionel Messi will officially begin a new chapter in Spanish football – not as a player, but as the owner of a professional club.