Lionel Messi agrees deal to buy 100% of Spanish club CD Eldense

Argentine legend Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to purchase Spanish second division club CD Eldense, according to AS.

Messi’s legal representatives have been in talks for some time with Colombian investment group TH, led by Juan Carlos Trujillo. 

The group acquired its stake in Eldense from Pascual Perez around a year ago, but negotiations with Messi have now reached a decisive stage.

The agreement in principle would make Messi the club’s majority shareholder once the remaining legal and contractual requirements are completed.

They have to do their full due diligence before Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD) approves the deal.

The final agreement is expected to be announced in the coming days, provided all the necessary procedures are completed.

If the deal goes through, Messi would become the owner of a professional Spanish football club for the first time.

The former Barcelona star already owns Spain’s Tercera RFEF side Cornella, but Eldense would be a much bigger investment and a significant step into professional football ownership.

The impact on Eldense could be enormous. The club currently has around 3,500 season-ticket holders in a city with just over 55,000 residents. 

Messi’s arrival could elevate the club’s profile almost overnight. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is expected to invest alone, without a business partner joining him in the purchase.

Eldense’s Nuevo Pepico Amat stadium has a capacity of approximately 5,800 and has undergone several renovations in recent years. 

The stadium size could become a problem if Messi’s arrival generates the expected level of interest.

The global attention surrounding Messi could attract new supporters, international visitors and media coverage far beyond the Alicante region. 

For a club from the Medio Vinalopo area, his arrival could mean much more than a change in ownership.

It could mark the beginning of an entirely new era for Eldense, with the club suddenly placed under the international spotlight and carrying the name of football’s greatest-ever player into a new chapter.