Few athletes in history have carried a sport like Lionel Messi. For 2 decades, fans watched him decide games with his feet. Now the story has taken a surprising turn that few fans saw coming.
Messi has just made news away from the field. It involves a Spanish second-division club and a very different kind of challenge. This new game plays out in quiet boardrooms instead of loud stadiums.
Messi officially becomes Eldense’s new owner
Messi reached a preliminary agreement to become majority shareholder in September. That process is now complete. Eldense confirmed the news on its website, and fans in Elda suddenly have a global star on their side.
Messi takes over from Grupo TH, a Colombian investment group. It is the third ownership change at Eldense in a year. That kind of constant turnover makes stability a top priority for any new owner.
Messi is 39 years old and has now bought two different Spanish clubs. Catalan side Cornellà came first back in April. Eldense is the bigger step because it plays professional football in the second tier.
Inside the club Messi just bought
Eldense was founded in 1921 and plays in Elda, spending most of its history outside Spain’s top two divisions. That long journey makes the club’s recent rise an especially compelling story.
Eldense earned promotion to Spain’s second tier in 2023 after a 59-year absence. Remarkably, the club achieved three consecutive promotions to reach that level, completing a rapid rise through the divisions.
Little clubs rarely get this much global attention. Eldense now shares headlines with one of the most famous athletes on Earth. Supporters across Elda will watch closely to see what changes first on the pitch.
Meet Cornellà, his first Spanish club purchase
UE Cornellà is based in Cornellà de Llobregat, in the Barcelona metropolitan area. The club competes in Spain’s lower divisions and became Messi’s first Spanish club acquisition when the team announced his ownership on April 16, 2026.
Founded in 1951, Cornellà has a long history in Catalan football and is known for its emphasis on youth development. The club has worked to build its sporting structure while maintaining its connection to the local community.
Messi’s purchase connects him more directly to football in the region where he spent much of his playing career. The club said the project would focus on long-term sporting and institutional development, including continued investment in talent.
Why smaller clubs attract big names
Owning a football club can give high-profile athletes a role in the sport beyond playing and endorsements. Messi’s Cornellà project has been presented as a long-term effort to strengthen the club, develop talent, and support its sporting and institutional growth.
Youth development is part of Cornellà’s identity. The club’s own history highlights its commitment to developing players and building a sustainable football structure. Messi’s acquisition has therefore drawn attention to how new ownership could support the club’s existing approach.
Messi and former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez also launched Deportivo LSM in Uruguay in 2025. Cornellà, acquired in April 2026, was Messi’s first purchase of a European football club. Eldense became his second Spanish club acquisition later that year, subject to regulatory approval.
Other football stars are buying clubs
Messi is not the only star in this game. Cristiano Ronaldo owns a 25% stake in UD Almería, which plays in the same division as Eldense. The two clubs are scheduled to meet again on May 2, 2027.
Kylian Mbappé took an 80% stake in French second-division side Caen in 2024. He did it soon after joining Real Madrid. That move came before Messi’s 2026 Spanish club deals.
The pattern is hard to miss. Some elite players are moving beyond endorsement deals and into ownership roles that can keep them connected to football after their playing careers.
Challenges waiting behind the big headlines
Spanish football rules could become important if Messi’s clubs eventually move close to the same level. Eldense plays in the second tier, while Cornellà plays in the fifth tier, leaving them 3 tiers apart.
Eldense hired coach Javi Calleja through June 2028 after Claudio Barragán left the job. Calleja earned his first Eldense win on Oct. 2, when the club beat Real Oviedo 4-1 and moved out of the relegation zone.
Messi still plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. His business team must oversee two Spanish clubs from far away. Strong local leaders on the ground will matter as much as a famous name.
Little-known fact: Messi’s crowds have been so large that some MLS teams have relocated Inter Miami matches to bigger venues. Others have bundled Inter Miami games into ticket packages to help sell additional matches.
What fans could gain from the deal
Fans in Elda have reason for hope after a year of ownership turnover. A global star can bring new attention to a smaller club. Sponsors and media often follow major names around the world.
Cornellà fans could see benefits too. The club said Messi’s arrival aims to strengthen its foundations and keep investing in talent. Young academy players there may feel the effects first.
For a smaller city, a global name can spark pride and attention. Local businesses could see more interest if visitors and media arrive. Time will tell how much really changes for the town and its supporters.
What happens next for Eldense
Next comes authorization from Spain’s sports council before the transaction becomes fully final. Eldense said the deal remains pending CSD approval under Spain’s Sports Law. Then the real work begins on the pitch and in the boardroom.
Messi’s team has shared a few public details about its sporting plan so far. The club described a long-term project focused on growth. Fans will learn more as new decisions arrive in the months ahead.
Cornellà also remains a work in progress. Its path through the lower leagues could shape Messi’s bigger plans. The two Spanish clubs are now linked by one famous owner and one shared story.
TL;DR
- Messi completed his purchase of CD Eldense, a Spanish second-division club.
- The deal still needs approval from Spain’s sports council.
- Cornellà, his fifth-division club, came first in April.
- Ronaldo and Mbappé also own stakes in football clubs.
- Eldense hired coach Javi Calleja and won its first home game of the season on Oct. 2.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
