ESPN reports that Messi, 39, has agreed to buy Eldense, a second division club in Spain. This would make Eldense the second club to be owned by the Barcelona and Argentina legend in Spain, following his purchase of fifth-division team Cornellà earlier this year. If finalised, Eldense would become the first professional club in the country in which Messi has invested, with Cornellà remaining semi-professional.
Eldense are currently owned by the Colombian investment group Grupo TH, who also have clubs in Colombia and Switzerland. The deal is still subject to completion of due diligence and the required approval from Spain's National Sports Council (CSD). Founded in 1921, Eldense have spent most of their history outside the top two divisions of Spanish football. They were promoted to the second tier for the first time since 1964 in 2023, relegated in 2025 and returned again this past summer. The club currently plays their home games at the Nuevo Pepico Amat, a modest 5,776-capacity stadium in the city of Elda.
Messi, 39, is also partially involved alongside Miami teammate Luis Suárez in Uruguay side Deportivo LSM.