MADRID : Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to buy Spanish second-division club CD Eldense, with an official announcement expected in the coming days, according to reports in Spain.

Under the proposed deal, Messi would acquire all the shares currently held by Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group S.A.S., which took control of Eldense in October 2025.

The transaction, however, is still subject to approval from Spain’s High Council for Sports (CSD) before it can be formally completed.

The move comes shortly after Messi ended his international career with Argentina and signals a growing shift towards football investment and ownership as the 39-year-old begins preparing for life beyond his playing days.

Messi had already expanded into Spanish club ownership earlier this year, acquiring lower-league side UE Cornella on April 16. He is also due to receive an ownership stake in Major League Soccer club Inter Miami once his playing contract with the club comes to an end.

Eldense are based in Elda, a town of around 55,000 residents in the eastern Spanish province of Alicante.

Founded in 1921, the club have spent much of their history in Spain’s lower divisions, although increased investment in recent years has helped them compete in the country’s second tier in three of the past four seasons.

Messi’s potential arrival comes at a challenging time on the pitch.

Eldense parted ways with manager Claudio Barragán on Sunday following a difficult start to the new Segunda División campaign. The club collected just two points from their opening four league matches and remain without a victory, leaving them in the relegation places.

Assistant coach Josep Ferrando has been placed in temporary charge while the club decides on Barragán’s successor.

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