Lionel Messi Completes Purchase of Spanish Second-Tier Club CD Eldense

Lionel Messi has completed his purchase of Spanish second division club CD Eldense.

The deal still needs regulatory approval. It is the second Spanish club the 39-year-old Argentina great has bought, after he took over Catalan side Cornella in April.

"Club Deportivo Eldense officially announces the acquisition of the club by Leo Messi, marking the start of a new and exciting chapter in the club's history, which spans more than 100 years," the club said on its website.

Messi reached a "preliminary agreement" in September to become the majority shareholder, and that process is now done. The Alicante-based club said his arrival is the start of a bigger plan. "The arrival of one of the most important figures in the history of sport as owner of CD Eldense marks the beginning of a long-term project aimed at promoting the club's sporting, institutional, and social development," it said.

Eldense have work to do on the pitch. They sit 19th in the 22-team Spanish second division, with one win and five points from their first seven games.

Messi won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and announced his retirement from international football in August. He plays for American side Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner left Argentina for Spain at 13 and made his Barcelona debut at 17 in October 2004. He scored a record 672 goals in 778 games for the club before moving to French side Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, then to Inter Miami in 2023.

His old Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, also has a foot in Spanish football. He bought a 25% stake in Almeria in February.