Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to acquire all shares in Deportivo Eldense, a club playing in Spain's second tier. The transaction is not complete: due diligence and the necessary approvals, including from Spain's National Sports Council, are still outstanding.
The seller is Colombian investment group TH, led by Juan Carlos Trujillo. If the final procedures are cleared, Messi will become Eldense's sole owner. Elda mayor Ruben Alfaro confirmed the preliminary agreement while stressing that its completion must still be awaited.
Eldense are based in Elda, in Alicante province. The club have around 3,500 season-ticket holders and play at the approximately 5,800-capacity Nuevo Pepico Amat stadium. Messi's involvement is expected to increase international attention, but any effect on attendance or business remains a forecast rather than an established outcome.
The project follows other football investments by Messi, including Cornella in Spain and Deportivo LSM in Uruguay alongside Luis Suarez. Eldense would represent an expansion into a professional club at a higher level if the deal succeeds. Messi continues to play for Inter Miami while the proposed ownership change moves through its remaining procedures.