Messi set for Eldense takeover

Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to buy Spanish second-tier side Eldense. A deal has not yet been finalised and remains subject to authorisation by the Spanish High Council for Sports, but an agreement is in place for the Inter Miami star to acquire 100 per cent of the club with due diligence now being carried out.

Rivalry with Ronaldo in Segunda División

The deal would pit Messi against old rival Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Real Madrid legend buying a 25 per cent stake in Saudi-owned side Almeria, who play in the same league, in February. The two sides faced each other in their first game of the season, which Almeria won 3-0, and are scheduled to meet again on May 2.

Eldense background

Eldense are based in the city of Elda in the autonomous region of Valencia. They play in the Segunda Division after earning promotion from the Primera Federacion last season, though they sacked head coach Claudio Barragan on Sunday following a winless start to the season. Assistant coach Josep Ferrando is interim charge of the side.

Eldense are playing their third season in the second tier in the last four years, having earned promotion to the Segunda Division in 2023, the first time the team had played in the division since 1964.

Previous investment and Messi’s career

This follows Messi’s purchase of fifth-tier club UE Cornella, who are located a 20-minute drive to the south-west of Barcelona, in April. The Catalan team play in the fifth regional group of the Tercera Federacion and helped develop Arsenal’s David Raya, Messi’s former Barcelona and Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba and current Barca defender Gerard Martin.

Sources with knowledge of the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, indicated that Messi would be expected to take an active role in the running of the club.

Messi spent the majority of his career in Spain after coming through Barcelona’s La Masia academy, featuring 778 times between 2004 and 2021 and scoring 672 goals. He joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 after Barcelona suffered financial issues, before signing for Inter Miami in 2023.

After captaining Argentina to the World Cup final, the 39-year-old announced his retirement from international football at the end of last month. He has since returned to MLS action with Miami, with the club second in the Eastern Conference and 10 points behind Nashville SC. Messi has recorded 18 goals and 10 assists in league action this year.