Lionel Messi is reportedly nearing a deal to purchase CD Eldense, a second-division Spanish football club based in the Alicante province, according to Spanish press reports. The move would mark the Argentine superstar’s second Spanish club acquisition, following his earlier purchase of UE Cornellà, a fifth-division team in Catalonia.
Why Is Messi Investing in Spanish Football Clubs?
Messi appears to be channeling part of his considerable footballing fortune into club ownership in Spain, a country where he has long-standing ties and reportedly intends to settle after his playing career ends. Buying into lower-division Spanish clubs offers him a foothold in local football infrastructure while diversifying his post-retirement business interests beyond his playing contracts and endorsements.
Sources close to the negotiations describe the Eldense deal as being in advanced stages, though nothing has been formally confirmed by either party.
What Do We Know About Eldense and Cornellà?
CD Eldense competes in Spain’s second tier, giving Messi a stake in a club with a more prominent competitive profile than his first purchase. UE Cornellà, acquired previously, plays in the fifth division and is based in Catalonia, the region where Messi grew up as a professional before his move to Barcelona’s academy as a boy. Together, the two clubs span different levels of the Spanish football pyramid, suggesting a broader strategy rather than a single symbolic purchase.
What Could This Mean for Messi’s Future in Spain?
The acquisitions reinforce speculation that Messi plans to relocate to Spain once his career on the pitch concludes, potentially taking a more hands-on role in club ownership or football development. While details of his exact involvement in either club’s operations remain unclear, the pattern of investment points to a long-term commitment to Spanish football beyond his playing days with clubs like Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and currently Inter Miami.
