Lionel Messi is closing in on a new role in football ownership, with the Argentina captain reported to be part of an investment group that has reached a preliminary agreement to purchase the Spanish second-tier club Eldense.
The move would give the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner a controlling interest in a club competing in the Segunda División, Spain's second tier, and marks another step in his expanding business interests away from the pitch. Reports on Tuesday indicated that the deal had been agreed in principle, though it has yet to be formally completed.
Eldense, based in the town of Elda in the province of Alicante, has spent recent seasons in the lower reaches of Spanish professional football. The club's profile would rise sharply under Messi's involvement, bringing global attention to a side that has traditionally operated far from the spotlight of La Liga.
The reported agreement follows a pattern of high-profile players moving into club ownership, particularly in Spain and Portugal, where investment groups have increasingly targeted clubs with established infrastructure but limited commercial reach. Messi's involvement would be among the most prominent examples of a current player taking an ownership stake in a European club.
Details of the investment group and the structure of the deal have not been fully disclosed. It remains unclear what proportion of the club Messi would own, or what role he would play in its day-to-day operations. The agreement is described as preliminary, meaning it could still be subject to due diligence and formal ratification before any takeover is confirmed.
For Eldense, the prospect of Messi's backing represents a potential transformation in commercial and sporting terms. The club would gain access to one of the most recognisable brands in world sport, with the possibility of increased sponsorship revenue, media coverage and global visibility. Such a shift could affect everything from player recruitment to stadium investment.
Messi's career has been defined by success at club and international level, including a World Cup triumph with Argentina and a long association with Barcelona before his moves to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. His business portfolio has grown in parallel, spanning endorsements, hospitality and technology investments.
The timing of the reported deal places it alongside a broader trend of celebrity and athlete investment in football clubs, as investors seek opportunities in leagues outside the traditional elite. Spanish football's lower divisions have attracted interest from foreign buyers in recent years, drawn by relatively low valuations and the potential for growth.
Any completed takeover would need to satisfy the Spanish league's ownership and financial regulations. Clubs in the Segunda División operate under strict financial controls, and a change of ownership typically requires approval from the league and the Spanish football federation.
Neither Messi nor Eldense has issued a formal statement confirming the agreement. The reports describe the deal as being at an advanced stage, with a preliminary agreement in place, but final terms have not been made public.
If completed, the takeover would place Messi in the unusual position of owning a club in the same national football system where he built his reputation. It would also add a new dimension to his post-playing ambitions, which have increasingly focused on building a lasting business and sporting legacy beyond his on-field achievements.
The story has drawn significant attention in the United Kingdom and internationally, reflecting Messi's enduring status as one of the most followed figures in sport. For Eldense, the immediate focus will be on whether the agreement progresses to a formal completion, and what that would mean for a club with modest resources but a newly elevated profile.