Messi now owns two Spanish clubs
Messi Now Owns Two Spanish Clubs After Eldense Deal
Thebangladaily.com – Messi now owns two Spanish clubs after agreeing to acquire CD Eldense, a team competing in Spain’s third tier. The Inter Miami forward is set to add the professional club to his football investment portfolio, having already acquired UE Cornellà earlier this year.
Eldense announced the ownership change on Thursday and described it as the start of an important new era for the club. The transaction is still subject to approval from Spain’s National Sports Council before it can be formally completed.
“A new and exciting chapter”
The club used those words to outline its expectations for the proposed takeover. Its stated plans cover sporting progress, institutional development and social growth, with the project intended to build on Eldense’s long-standing connection with the city of Elda.
Messi Adds Eldense to His Spanish Football Interests
Messi now owns two Spanish clubs, with Eldense becoming the second team in the country linked to the former Barcelona and Argentina star. His first acquisition was UE Cornellà, a semi-professional side playing in Spain’s fifth tier.
The two clubs currently operate several divisions apart. Eldense plays in the third tier, while Cornellà competes much lower in the Spanish football pyramid, meaning there is no immediate possibility of a direct competitive conflict between the teams.
Spanish football rules could matter if their league positions changed in future. The Royal Spanish Football Federation generally does not allow the same majority shareholder to control two clubs in the same division. For now, however, Eldense and Cornellà remain separated by three levels.
The Eldense investment is especially notable because it marks Messi’s first ownership involvement with a professional football club. While he continues his playing career at Inter Miami, the deal gives him a broader role in Spanish football beyond his years as a Barcelona player.
Eldense’s History and Current Position
Founded in 1921, CD Eldense is one of the established clubs from the Alicante province city of Elda. Much of its history has been spent outside Spain’s top two divisions, but its supporters have remained closely connected to the club through its many lower-league campaigns.
Eldense returned to the second division in 2023 for the first time since 1964, ending a long absence from that level. The club was relegated in 2025 and now competes in the third tier, where Messi’s proposed ownership project is expected to begin.
The team plays its home matches at Nuevo Pepico Amat Stadium, which has a capacity of 5,776. The ground remains central to Eldense’s local identity, and the club’s announcement suggests the new ownership plan is meant to strengthen both football operations and its wider role in the community.
Before the proposed takeover, Eldense was owned by Colombian investment group Grupo TH. The group also has interests in football in Colombia and Switzerland, meaning the club had already experienced international ownership before Messi’s arrival.
What Messi’s Ownership Could Mean for Eldense
Messi now owns two Spanish clubs, but Eldense is the more significant addition because of its professional status. The club has presented the deal as a long-term project rather than a short-term sporting move, with attention expected to be given to football, organisation and community links.
His global profile could bring increased attention to Eldense, although the immediate priority remains the required approval process. Until Spain’s National Sports Council gives clearance, the ownership transition cannot be finalised.
For the club, the proposed deal arrives after relegation from the second division and at a time when it is looking to shape its next phase. Eldense will seek to move forward while preserving the identity developed over more than a century in Elda.
Messi’s investment also reflects the growing involvement of elite players in club ownership. His continued role with Inter Miami and his interests in Cornellà and Eldense show how his connection to football now extends beyond the pitch.
FAQ: Messi and CD Eldense
Which two Spanish clubs does Messi own?
Messi is linked to CD Eldense and UE Cornellà. Eldense plays in Spain’s third tier, while Cornellà competes at semi-professional level in the fifth tier.
Has the Eldense takeover been completed?
No. The proposed acquisition still requires approval from Spain’s National Sports Council before it can be completed.
Where is CD Eldense based?
CD Eldense is based in Elda, in Alicante province, Spain. The club plays home matches at Nuevo Pepico Amat Stadium.
Can Eldense and Cornellà play in the same division?
Spanish federation rules generally prevent one majority shareholder from controlling two clubs in the same division. The clubs are currently three divisions apart, so the issue does not apply at present.