Lionel Messi confirmed as new owner of Spanish second-tier club Eldense
Global football icon Lionel Messi has officially taken ownership of CD Eldense, a club based in Elda, Alicante that currently plays in Spain's second division. The takeover, confirmed on October 1, 2026, represents one of the most high-profile ownership moves involving a current second-tier Spanish club. Eldense, a modest club with limited resources, now gains the association of one of the most decorated players in football history. The acquisition is expected to bring significant attention, potential investment, and brand elevation to the club as it looks to compete at the second tier of Spanish football.
Read the full story at nytimes.comMessi's decision to purchase a second-division Spanish club — rather than a glamorous top-flight side — is a striking signal of intent. Eldense is a small club from Alicante, and the move connects Messi back to Spanish football, where he spent the bulk of his playing career with Barcelona. The acquisition is likely to reshape Eldense's profile overnight, drawing sponsors, media attention, and potentially stronger recruitment pipelines. For Spanish football, it adds a marquee name to the ownership ranks at a time when lower-division clubs are increasingly seeking global appeal to remain financially viable.
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Data source: nytimes.com (via Socc360). Last updated .
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