Messi Acquires Spain's 2nd-Division Club Eldense, Second Team Following 5th-Tier Acquisition

Football legend Lionel Messi (39, Inter Miami) has become the owner of another Spanish football club.

CD Eldense, a club in Spain's Segunda Division (second tier), announced today (local time) that "Messi has acquired the club," adding that they are "awaiting official approval from Spain's Higher Council for Sports (CSD)."

Previously, Messi signed an agreement last month to acquire the entire stake in the club previously held by Eldense's former majority shareholder, a Colombian investment group.

Eldense is the second football team Messi has taken over as owner in Spain.

Messi previously acquired UE Cornellà, a Catalan club playing in Spain's fifth tier, last April.

Founded in 1921, Eldense stated, "With Messi, one of the greatest players in world sports history, joining the Spanish professional football stage as Eldense's owner, a new project based on a long-term vision is being launched." The club added, "This project aims to promote Eldense's football, club management, and social development."

Eldense currently sits 19th out of 22 teams in this season's Spanish second division with 1 win, 2 draws, and 4 losses (5 points).

Meanwhile, Messi's eternal rival, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (41, Al Nassr), acquired a 25% stake in the Spanish second-tier team UD Almería last February to become a co-owner, raising anticipation for a club-owner showdown between Messi and Ronaldo.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.