Club confirmed preliminary takeover agreement pending due diligence and regulatory clearance
Lionel Messi agrees to buy struggling Spanish club CD Eldense
Argentine forward reaches deal in principle for majority control as he prepares for life after playing
In a nutshell
Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to buy majority control of Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense from Colombian consortium Grupo TH Soluciones, stepping into European team ownership as he prepares for life after his active playing career. The proposed takeover arrives amid a sporting slump for the Alicante club, which recently sacked its manager after earning two points in four games, though the transaction remains provisional pending due diligence and authorization from Spain's Higher Sports Council.
Highlights
- Lionel Messi agreed in principle to purchase majority control of Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense without intermediaries.
- The seller is Colombian investment consortium Grupo TH Soluciones, the current controlling stakeholder.
- CD Eldense earned two points from its first four league matches before dismissing its manager.
- Final completion requires regulatory approval from Spain's Higher Sports Council and finished due diligence.
From the Editor’s Diary
Athlete transitions into club management depend on navigating regulatory scrutiny and inherited sporting slumps as much as commercial star power.
Who's involved
Lionel Messi
Inter Miami forward and Argentina captain
goal → Build an international football team ownership portfolio ahead of retirement
CD Eldense
Second-tier Spanish professional club based in Alicante and founded in 1921
goal → Secure financial stability and reverse a poor start in the league
Grupo TH Soluciones
Colombian investment group and controlling owner of CD Eldense
goal → Sell its controlling stake in the Spanish club
Consejo Superior de Deportes
Spanish government sports council overseeing club ownership compliance
goal → Review and approve the legal and financial terms of the takeover
In short
Lionel Messi has moved to secure his first European team, agreeing in principle to acquire majority ownership of CD Eldense, a historic Spanish second-division club.
The proposed takeover positions the Alicante-based outfit for a leadership overhaul and fresh investment once regulators approve the deal.
That outcome remains uncertain until Spain's Higher Sports Council finishes reviewing the paperwork and auditors complete an examination of the club's finances.
How it unfolded
Messi reaches agreement in principle to purchase CD Eldense
Spanish sports daily Marca broke news of the transaction, reporting that Lionel Messi bypassed outside intermediaries to strike a direct preliminary deal for CD Eldense. The disclosure sparked immediate worldwide coverage as details emerged of the Argentine star's accelerated move into European club management.
Club confirms pending sale to Messi subject to regulatory review
CD Eldense confirmed to global news agencies that majority owner Grupo TH Soluciones had reached an initial agreement to transfer controlling ownership to Messi. The club cautioned that the sale remains provisional while teams complete financial audits, draft final contracts, and secure statutory approval from Spain's government sports council.
Where things stand
The acquisition remains in due diligence after Lionel Messi and Grupo TH Soluciones settled on preliminary terms. The parties have not disclosed the purchase price, the precise share percentage being acquired, or an expected closing date.
Completion hinges on mandatory authorization from the Consejo Superior de Deportes, Spain's state sports council that monitors sports team ownership changes. The deal will move forward once the sides submit their regulatory filing and Eldense outlines its incoming executive structure.